The AL champion Toronto Blue Jays have one fewer item on their offseason to-do list. Right-hander Shane Bieber will exercise his $16 million player option and stay with the club for 2026, reports the New York Post . Bieber would have received a $4 million buyout had he declined the player option, so it was a $12 million decision.

Getting Bieber back on the player option is a very good outcome for Toronto. It's an affordable salary, it's a short-term commitment, and it's reasonable to believe he will be more effective as he gets further away from elbow reconstruction. The Blue Jays don't need Bieber to be an ace or even a No. 2 starter. He's more than qualified to be a No. 3, and has a chance to be even more.

Our R.J. Anderson ranked Bieber as the 13th-best free agent available this

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