Shane Bieber is likely done in Toronto - Expected to sign with NL West team
PUBLICATION
Bobby Ohr
August 5, 2025 (2:53 PM)
Photo credit: Sportnet
The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber has yet to pitch a game for them yet but he is already expected to sign with an NL West team in the off-season.
Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber expected to sign with the Los Angeles Angels in the off-season
Toronto made a risky move in trading for
Bieber as he is coming back from Tommy John surgery plus the fact that he has a player option going into the 2026 season that many expect him to decline.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller stated that if Bieber has a solid end of 2025 in Toronto, there is a good chance that he will decline his $16 million player option and enter free agency.
«Bieber's 2025 season debut should be coming soon. If the 2020 AL Cy Young winner finishes with a flourish, he'll decline his $16M player option for next season in order to make way more than that in free agency. (Prediction: Los Angeles Angels throw a slightly irresponsible amount of money at Bieber.).»-Miller
Bieber is from California which is why he will likely be interested in the massive offer the Angels are ready to throw at him which will likely surpass $16 million per season which is the current value of his player option.
The Blue Jays will likely have a better chance at keeping Bieber if he pitches poorly when he returns since he will then be most likely to accept his player option for the 2026 season.
The tough part in all of this is that the Blue Jays need to return to the starting rotation pitching well if they want to make a serious playoff run even if that means they might lose him to free agency.
GM Ross Atkins certainly took a risk in signing Bieber but if it ends up giving them a real chance at the World Series, no one will care if he ends up leaving in free agency.
Previously on Blue Jays Insider
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AOUT 5 | 241 ANSWERS Shane Bieber is likely done in Toronto - Expected to sign with NL West team Will Shane Bieber leave the Blue Jays in the off-season? |
Yes | 156 | 64.7 % |
No | 85 | 35.3 % |
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