"Right-hander Shane Bieber made the surprising call to exercise his $16MM player option with the Blue Jays rather than take a $4MM buyout and head into free agency yesterday. It's a move that leaves the Toronto rotation in much better shape than previously anticipated headed into free agency, as Bieber will now join Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Jose Berrios in the club's 2026 rotation."
"The Cubs and left-hander Shota Imanaga both declined their sides of a complex option structure that could've kept Imanaga in Chicago through either 2026 or 2028. Now, the southpaw is a free agent coming off an uneven season where he posted mid-rotation results with lackluster peripherals and struggled badly in the final months of the year. While the rest of the league will get the opportunity to evaluate a starting pitching option who was not expected to be available as recently as a few months ago,"
Shane Bieber exercised his $16MM player option with the Blue Jays instead of taking a $4MM buyout and entering free agency. Bieber's decision secures a rotation spot alongside Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Jose Berrios for 2026 and provides payroll flexibility for Toronto to pursue Bo Bichette or another starting arm. The Cubs and Shota Imanaga both declined complex option choices, making Imanaga a free agent after an uneven season marked by mid-rotation results, weak peripherals, and late-season struggles. Chicago must decide whether to extend a Qualifying Offer or let him depart without compensation. Option decisions continue to arrive leaguewide, influencing roster planning.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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