Free Agent Shane Bieber Makes Clear Where He Wants To Sign
Speaking with Sportsnet's Shi Davidi as the Blue Jays cleaned out their clubhouse, Bieber addressed his upcoming free agency. "I hope it's here," Bieber said, later adding, "I definitely hope that's here again because I've enjoyed my time, my family's enjoyed our time so much."
Season Cut Short By Injury
Bieber's expiring deal was a two-year, $26 million contract that included the $16 million player option he exercised last winter to return for 2026. That contract is now up, sending him back to the open market for the second time in his career.
Bieber didn't make his first start until June 23 as the team carefully built him back up, and he finished on the injured list with a teres major strain after posting a 5-2 record and a 4.37 ERA in 11 starts. He'd been targeting a return for a potential playoff run before Toronto ultimately missed out.
Shane Bieber on his upcoming free agency: trusts he will end up in the right spot and hopes that spot is Toronto
— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) September 26, 2026
On his health: says he feels 100%. Tossed a bullpen session last week and "got after it". Would’ve been ready for the playoffs.https://t.co/8K2Say8o9x pic.twitter.com/SPNzVm4rZH
"My plan was to make it back for the playoffs," Bieber said. He described the year as "weird, hot and cold, and frustrating," but sounded confident in where his body stands now. "I feel pretty much 100 percent. I was able to throw a bullpen last week, got through it, and recovered super well."
Toronto Has Reason To Want Him Back Too
Davidi identified Bieber and infielder Myles Straw as the two pending free agents most likely to return to Toronto, though contract structure and the rest of the Blue Jays' offseason plans will factor into how that actually plays out.
Given the injury history, Davidi floated the idea that an incentive-heavy, shorter-term deal could make sense for both sides, letting Bieber rebuild his value in 2027 without fully closing the door on a bigger contract down the line.
MLB's current collective bargaining agreement expires in December, and free agency now opens with less than a month for teams to make moves before that deadline hits, giving both Toronto and Bieber incentive to move quickly if they want a reunion done.
Bieber, 31, won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020 and remains one of the more accomplished arms set to hit the market this winter, even with the uncertainty his recent health has created.
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