Blue Jays Receive Massive Boost with Shane Bieber's Shocking Option Decision
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The Toronto Blue Jays just suffered a heartbreaking defeat after coming within two outs of claiming their first World Series title in more than three decades.
As difficult as it may be, the page instantly had to turn to figuring out how to get back there and finish the job this time with the offseason getting started immediately before the Los Angeles Dodgers had even cleared the field in Toronto.
In that pursuit, one major domino fell on Tuesday night which clears up the picture in the starting rotation a bit. As first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, trade deadline acquisition Shane Bieber has surprisingly exercised his $16 million player option for 2026 and will be back with the team next season.
Trading For Bieber Was Major Risk That Paid Off for Blue Jays
Toronto took a risk when they traded for Bieber at the deadline before he had even pitched a game this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and surrendered a legitimate top-10 prospect in Khal Steven.
Having no control over whether or not he was going to take the player option, the deal put them on the hook for a significant salary for next season even if he had not performed.
Bieber did more than hold up his end of the bargain though, providing the Blue Jays rotation with a huge boost down the stretch. The right-hander posted a 3.57 ERA and 1.017 WHIP with 37 strikeouts compared to just seven walks in 40.1 innings across seven starts with a record of 4-2.
He was also a major factor in the playoffs with a 3.86 ERA across 18.2 postseason innings and five appearances, giving Toronto the kind of depth it needed to make the run they were able to make.
Bieber Should Be Major Factor in Blue Jays Rotation Next Year
Generally speaking, pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery take some time to get back to their previous form even after returning. With now what should be a full and normal offseason for Bieber, Toronto has a chance to reap even more rewards from their bold deadline move.
Prior to the injury early in the 2024 season, the 2020 American League Cy Young winner had pitched to a 2.98 ERA in 80 starts over the previous four seasons with a 1.096 WHIP and 561 strikeouts in 502 innings pitched.
In a rotation that could be ready to take the next step in 2026 led by both Kevin Gausman and rookie sensation Trey Yesavage, having Bieber in the fold for what looks to be an extremely reasonable number is a huge deal.
If Bieber could return to the kind of form that made him a two-time All-Star, the Blue Jays may make a run at having one of the best rotations in the American League, and as a result have a wonderful chance to get back to the World Series.
For as painful as the last week has been since the Game 7 loss, this is a much needed dose of tremendous news for Toronto.
Michael Brauner is a 2022 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Sports Media. He covers various MLB teams across the On SI network and you can also find his work on Yellowhammer News covering the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers as well as on the radio producing and co-hosting 'The Opening Kickoff' every weekday morning on 105.5 WNSP FM in Mobile, Alabama.