The AL champion Toronto Blue Jays have one fewer merchandise on their offseason to-do listing. Proper-hander Shane Bieber will train his $16 million participant possibility and stick with the membership for 2026, experiences the New York Put up. Bieber would have acquired a $4 million buyout had he declined the participant possibility, so it was a $12 million resolution.
Getting Bieber again on the participant possibility is an excellent consequence for Toronto. It is an reasonably priced wage, it is a short-term dedication, and it is cheap to imagine he will probably be more practical as he will get additional away from elbow reconstruction. The Blue Jays do not want Bieber to be an ace or perhaps a No. 2 starter. He is greater than certified to be a No. 3, and has an opportunity to be much more.
Our R.J. Anderson ranked Bieber because the Thirteenth-best free agent out there this offseason. Now he is off the market. This is the write-up:
Bieber returned from Tommy John surgical procedure late within the season, showcasing a robust deal with over a median arsenal. His fastball did clock in hotter than it has since 2021, and his slider at instances flashed above-average high quality. Probably the most fascinating growth right here, although, involved a freshly minted kick-changeup that graded higher than its outcomes. Bieber ought to search out success for so long as he can find, however he is extra of a mid-rotation starter than a frontline kind.
Bieber, 30, joined Toronto in a deadline commerce with the Cleveland Guardians. He was rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure on the time. Bieber made seven common season begins with the Blue Jays, pitching to a 3.57 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 40 ⅓ innings. He had a 3.86 ERA in 18 ⅔ postseasons inning throughout Toronto’s run to the American League pennant.
In Recreation 7 of the World Collection, Bieber got here out of the bullpen and surrendered Will Smith’s game-winning eleventh inning solo homer. It was his first aid look since 2019.
Veteran righties Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer, who mixed to make 48 begins in 2025, are free brokers this offseason. Bieber choosing up his participant possibility means the Blue Jays have one much less rotation spot to fret about. With a complete offseason to go, Toronto’s 2026 rotation depth chart presently appears to be like like this:
- RHP Kevin Gausman
- RHP Trey Yesavage
- RHP Shane Bieber
- RHP José Berríos (missed the postseason with an elbow harm)
- LHP Eric Lauer
- RHP Bowden Francis (didn’t pitch after June 14 as a result of shoulder harm)
- LHP Easton Lucas
The Blue Jays haven’t offered an replace on Berríos, who made no less than 30 begins yearly from 2022-25, since he was shut down for the postseason in September. Even when his harm is not going to lower into his availability subsequent yr, it will make sense for Toronto to pursue a beginning pitcher this winter. If Berríos will miss the beginning of 2026, one other starter will probably be crucial.
Along with addressing the rotation, the Blue Jays should both re-sign or exchange shortstop Bo Bichette, our third ranked free agent. Bullpen assist figures to be a precedence as properly. Toronto went 94-68 this season and was the AL’s No. 1 seed. They misplaced the World Collection to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven thrilling video games.
