The right-hander ended the season on the injured list, but turned in a solid season when healthy.
Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander Shane Bieber told reporters, including Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, that he wants to be back with the Jays in free agency this offseason. Obviously, there's a lot of factors that will go into whether he returns or not, but lets break down some of the things to know as the offseason begins.
About Bieber
Now 31 years old, Bieber is a nine-year veteran of the Cleveland Guardians and Blue Jays. He owns a career record of 71-36 and an ERA of 3.31. He won the American League Cy Young in the COVID-shortened 2020 season when he went 8-1 with a 1.63 for Cleveland.
In parts of two seasons with Toronto, he went 9-4 with a 4.03 ERA. He only made 18 regular season appearances between the two years though.
What's the injury history?
Well, Bieber had Tommy John surgery in 2024 after just two starts with the Guardians. They traded him to the Blue Jays at the trade deadline in 2025 and he made seven starts, and then pitched additionally in the playoffs as the team went to the World Series. He started Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners.
This season, he began the year on the injured list because of forearm fatigue that stemmed from the Tommy John surgery. He pitched in 11 more games before going down again with a shoulder issue. He last pitched on Aug. 20.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesIs there room for him in 2027?
Well, the Blue Jays seem to have four starters already set for next year: Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Jose Soriano and Cody Ponce.
Do they want to commit more resources to another starter, or do they want to let young pitchers like Ricky Tiedemann and Nolan Perry have a chance? What about Jose Berrios and Bowden Francis, who are also returning from their own Tommy John surgeries?
It seems like the room is full for Toronto, but as this year's injury problem showed, you can never have enough depth.
What about the money?
The Blue Jays have money, especially with Kevin Gausman, Bieber, Daulton Varsho, Jeff Hoffman, Max Scherzer and others either fully or mostly off the books. But what will the financial landscape in baseball look like around labor strife this offseason?
Will there be a salary cap? Will there not be? How long will a potential lockout go? It seems like things need to get settled before a risky free agent like Bieber finds a home.
