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Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber made a surprise move on Tuesday, opting into his $16 million player option for the 2026 season. Read more: Blue Jays’ Shane Bieber Makes Surprise Decision, Opts Into Player Option With Toronto It was expected that Bieber would opt-out for a longer-term deal (with potentially even a higher average annual value), but instead, he decided to run it back without hitting free agency. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal was on Foul Territory on Wednesday and revealed that not only was he surprised with the move, but so, too, were members of the Blue Jays organization. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Shane Bieber #57 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on after the third out in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) “I was surprised, people with the Blue Jays were surprised, people in the industry were surprised. You just don’t see this kind of decision very often,” Rosenthal said. “He could have declined the option, taken a $4 million buyout — so he’s $4 million ahead — and then in free agency, I would think three years, $50 million, maybe even more. But, for whatever reason, he wants to be in Toronto one more year.” "My understanding is that there's no extension as part of this."@Ken_Rosenthal was surprised to see Shane Bieber exercise his player option for 2026. pic.twitter.com/pyvTv6nJGD— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 5, 2025 Rosenthal pondered the reasons Bieber may have made this decision, citing his rehab as he’s still coming off Tommy John surgery or the potential of a contract extension between the two sides. However, he hasn’t heard anything related to an extension. “My understanding is that there is no extension as part of this, it really hasn’t even been discussed,” Rosenthal said. “It has not been a motivator for him in making this decision.” More news: Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer Receives Major Contract Prediction After World Series Loss Bieber was traded to the Blue Jays at the deadline from the Cleveland Guardians. The former Cy Young winner finished his Tommy John surgery rehab in the Blue Jays organization before making his 2025 debut in late August. He finished the 2025 season with a 3.57 ERA across 40.1 innings and had a 3.86 ERA across 18.2 postseason innings. “It’s curious, I don’t exactly know what Shane Bieber was thinking,” Rosenthal said. “Obviously he liked it there … but he still could have leveraged that into, ‘One or two more years guys, let’s do it.’ At least to this point, he hasn’t done that.” For all the latest MLB news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports
