Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber has decided to continue with the team for the upcoming season by opting to exercise his player option worth $16 million US for the 2026 season. The decision was announced by the team on Wednesday. Bieber, 30, joined the Blue Jays mid-season from the Cleveland Guardians and performed well with a 4-2 record and a 3.57 earned-run average.
His choice to stay strengthens the team’s starting rotation, which is expected to feature top pitchers like Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, and possibly Eric Lauer. The future of free agents Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt with the team remains uncertain. In the recent post-season, Bieber showcased his skills with a 2-1 record and a 3.86 ERA, contributing significantly to the team’s performance.
Bieber, who made his MLB debut in 2018, has an impressive record of 66-34 and a 3.24 ERA. Notably, he won the American League Cy Young Award in the shortened 2020 season after a remarkable 8-1 record with a 1.63 ERA for the Guardians.
Despite the potential for a lucrative long-term deal in the open market, Bieber’s decision to stay with the Blue Jays comes as a surprise. By remaining with the team, he aims to further elevate his value in a competitive environment as the Blue Jays look forward to another strong season following their successful campaign this year, where they clinched the AL East Division title.
The Blue Jays had a remarkable season, winning 94 games and making it to the playoffs, defeating the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners before eventually falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team is gearing up for the upcoming season, with spring training set to begin in mid-February and their first game scheduled against the Athletics on March 26.
This move by Bieber underscores his commitment to the Blue Jays and his ambition to contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season.