Blue Jays: How important is to keep Shane Bieber around this offseason?

"Shane Bieber is without a doubt a major question for the Blue Jays' offseason plans. The 30-year-old holds a $16 million player option for 2026, and he's coming off his final start of the postseason - going 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run, and striking out three. Bieber was the big splash Toronto made at the trade deadline, and in his seven regular-season starts, he posted a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA over 40 1/3 innings."

"Depending on how the offseason unfolds, Bieber could certainly choose to test the market, and pundits across the board believe he is going to opt out. The Blue Jays already have José Berríos and Kevin Gausman under contract for 2026, and the emergence of Trey Yesavage - especially his dominant postseason - further complicates the rotation picture. There's also Eric Lauer, who was used in both starting and relief roles and has positioned himself as a potential rotation piece,"

Shane Bieber, 30, holds a $16 million player option for 2026 and finished his most recent postseason start with 5 1/3 innings, one run allowed and three strikeouts. Toronto acquired him at the trade deadline; he went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season starts (40 1/3 innings) and maintained a 3.57 ERA across four postseason starts. Bieber is likely the club's second-most important impending free agent behind Bo Bichette, and pundits expect he may opt out. The Blue Jays have José Berríos and Kevin Gausman under contract for 2026, while Trey Yesavage, Eric Lauer, injured Bowden Francis and several prospects complicate rotation planning. Bieber does not feature high velocity, topping around 93-94 mph, but relies on command and an arsenal including a slider, changeup, knuckle curve and cutter.

Read at BlueJaysNation