The free agent pitching market became a bit thinner on Tuesday when Shane Bieber decided to pick up his $16 million player option for 2026 and remain with the Toronto Blue Jays, multiple media outlets reported.
The former Cy Young Award winner didn’t make his debut with the Blue Jays until August, having been out 16 months while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He wound up going 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA in seven starts for Toronto down the stretch, then went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five games during the postseason.
Bieber took the loss in Game 7 of the World Series. Pitching in relief, he served up an 11th-inning solo homer to Will Smith that led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-4 victory and the championship.
Bieber could have opted to take a $4 million buyout and become a free agent. Instead, he will be eligible for free agency next winter unless he and the Blue Jays reach a deal on an extension.
Toronto dealt pitching prospect Khal Stephen to the Cleveland Guardians to acquire Bieber on July 31, when the 30-year-old veteran was completing his elbow rehab.
In seven seasons with Cleveland, Bieber was an All-Star in 2019 and 2021, and he won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020 after going 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA in 12 starts during a pandemic-shortened season.
In 143 career regular-season games (141 starts), Bieber has a 66-34 record with a 3.24 ERA.
He is part of a strong Toronto rotation that includes Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and Jose Berrios. Veteran right-hander Max Scherzer is a free agent.
