The offseason had barely begun, yet the Toronto Blue Jays already secured a win that could shape their 2026 campaign. Just days after their heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, ace Shane Bieber decided to stay — a move few saw coming.

Bieber exercised his $16 million player option for 2026, choosing stability and another chance at redemption over immediate free agency. The decision marks a significant moment for Toronto’s rotation, which now retains a veteran presence capable of anchoring their pitching staff once again.

For Bieber, the choice was as much about belief as business. After returning from Tommy John surgery and finding his rhythm late in the season, he posted a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season starts and a 3.86 mark across five postseason

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