Copyright sportskeeda
It seems former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber is liking it here in Toronto, and that's why he has opted to stay with the Blue Jays after the club's deep postseason run that saw them win their first ALCS since 1993 before losing World Series Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.While Bieber was recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Cleveland Guardians traded their ace to the Blue Jays in July. His contract included a player option for 2026 at $16 million. On Tuesday, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the starting pitcher opted in to his one-year, $16 million player option with the Blue Jays for the 2026 season, thereby foregoing free agency.Fans are shocked by this decision, as some believe he could have easily gotten a better deal had he chosen free agency."I’m shocked, he could have easily got $20-$23mil on a 5 year deal," one fan wrote."Oh that’s actually surprising. Or at least I am surprised," another fan added."I'm shocked he took his option and didn't opt out and then resign with the Jays at a different higher price point," one fan said.Meanwhile, not every fan believes the same way."Not surprising. The man is coming off TJ. No other team giving him that type of money," one fan wrote.One fan thinks Bieber's wife, Kara Maxine Bieber, who just gave birth to their first child, Kav McClain, might have played a part behind this decision."It was reported his wife was suffering from postpartum. I bet the camaraderie b/w the players & their significant others (many of the players mentioned how happy their wives/gf were) played a role in this. This team is VERY close. I am happy for the Biebers & the Jays(win-win)," one fan commented."MY GOAT RETURNS. IF THAT DOESN'T TELL YOU ABOUT THE TORONTO CULTURE, IDK WHAT ELSE WILL," another Blue Jays fan added.Shane Bieber's first season with the Blue JaysShane Bieber returned to the mound after almost a year on August 23. His Blue Jays debut was stellar, as he pitched six innings, allowed just two hits, struck out nine, and gave up only one run. In his second outing back, he struck out six over 5.1 innings while allowing two runs.Bieber also came in handy for the Blue Jays during the 2025 postseason. In the pivotal World Series Game 5, he pitched 5.1 innings for just one earned run, as the Blue Jays went on to win that game.With Bieber joining the 2026 rotation, the Blue Jays' rotation needs only one more arm to make them a formidable starting pitching unit. With Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and Jose Berrios also part of the rotation, the club is primed to do well in 2026 as well.
