The Toronto Blue Jays will once again feature Shane Bieber.
Choosing not to explore the free agent market, the former Cy Young Award recipient is opting to stay with Toronto by exercising his $16 million player option, as indicated by various reports.
The verdict might seem unexpected to some, considering Bieber’s potential to secure a more lucrative contract in free agency. Projections from various sports outlets suggested Bieber could have been a highly sought-after free agent this winter had he decided to opt out.
Instead, Bieber is committing to a Blue Jays team that narrowly missed clinching a championship, succumbing to the Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series in extra innings.
Bieber Shows Glimpses of Previous Brilliance in Toronto Following Tommy John Surgery
Bieber, now 30 years old, earned a Cy Young Award during his time with the Guardians in 2020, in addition to being a two-time All-Star while with Cleveland. He underwent Tommy John surgery after just two starts in 2024, marking the end of his six-plus-season tenure pitching for the Guardians.
His recovery extended into the 2025 regular season, and the Blue Jays acquired him from Cleveland before the trade deadline, banking on his ability to rediscover his form for their postseason push, despite his absence from pitching since 2024.
The calculated risk largely proved successful. Bieber made seven starts throughout the regular season’s final stretch. He recorded a 3.57 ERA and 1.017 WHIP, along with 37 strikeouts and seven walks across 40 1/3 innings pitched. He achieved a 4-2 record in those starts and played a crucial role in the Blue Jays securing the AL East title through a tiebreaker with the Yankees.
During the playoffs, he maintained a 3.86 ERA across five appearances, including four starts, and posted a 2-1 record as a starter. He secured victories in Game 3 of the ALCS and Game 4 of the World Series. His postseason journey concluded on a bittersweet note, as he surrendered the series-deciding home run to Will Smith in the 11th inning of Game 7.
Despite the unfortunate ending, his overall performance was promising and instilled confidence that he could continue to regain his previous level of play after his surgery. He still has the option to negotiate a long-term contract with the Blue Jays. Regardless, he will return to Toronto in 2025 and is expected to be a valuable starter at the forefront of the rotation.
