The door remains open for a Kevin Gausman return to the Blue Jays, along with Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer, according to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon.

A source familiar with Toronto's offseason plans told Bannon that all three are still possibilities.

Gausman is the most intriguing. Bannon wrote he “will almost certainly earn the most money this winter if he chooses to pitch next season.”

After talking about potential retirement in the spring, he's probably looking at a one-year deal. But The Athletic reporter raised the possibility of another team making a “juicy multiyear offer.”

There's history here. Gausman was open to an extension with Toronto before the deadline, but the sides “never got the ball rolling.”

Can they line up on money now? That's the question.

Shane Bieber's incentive-laden path makes him the best reunion fit

Bieber is likely seeking a short-term, incentive-laden deal to rebuild value after injury-filled seasons, Bannon reported.

That structure fits Toronto perfectly. It limits risk while keeping a former Cy Young winner who wants to be here.

Scherzer is a longer shot. He likely won't decide on 2027 for months, though agent Scott Boras made his case.

“If you saw Scherzer's last game, you'll understand he's far from Max'd out,” Boras said.

Of the three, Bieber is the one worth bringing back. Gausman's splitter faded badly after the first trip through the order, and Scherzer turns 43 in July.

Reuniting with all three would be like a band touring with its original lineup decades later. The nostalgia sells tickets, but the high notes aren't what they used to be.

Toronto's rotation still needs help behind Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and José Soriano. Michael King and Nick Pivetta remain more durable options.

The door may be open for all three. Ross Atkins just needs to be selective about who actually walks through it.