Overview
- Bieber exercised his Toronto player option that carries a $16 million salary, effectively guaranteeing about $12 million because of a $4 million buyout.
- Executives quoted by The Athletic called the move one of the most bizarre in recent memory, noting he likely could have earned more on the open market.
- Preseason projections had Bieber in line for multi‑year offers, including a three‑year, $63 million estimate from The Athletic’s Tim Britton, with Matt Boyd’s two‑year, $29 million deal cited as a comparison.
- Reporting indicates no extension with the Blue Jays is imminent despite his decision to stay for 2026.
- Bieber is 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery and logged seven regular‑season starts for Toronto with a 3.57 ERA, then posted a 3.86 ERA over 18.2 postseason innings during the Blue Jays’ World Series run.