Shane Bieber, Myles Straw among Blue Jays free agents hoping to return

TORONTO — Shane Bieber and Myles Straw are among the Toronto Blue Jays players facing free agency this off-season, with both expressing a desire to return to the club.

"It's hard every time you think about it," Bieber said Sunday. "I just know that I have a lot of good left in front of me. And I hope it’s here."

The 31-year-old pitcher finished the season on the injured list with a teres major strain and is now a pending free agent, uncertain if his seven-shutout innings on Aug. 20 was his final outing for Toronto.

READ MORE: Alonso's 40th HR completes Orioles' comeback win over Blue Jays

READ MORE: Blue Jays face pivotal off-season after disappointing 79-83 finish

The Blue Jays' pending free-agent list also includes Paul Sewald, Jameson Taillon, Yimi Garcia, Patrick Corbin and Luis Urias.

Straw may join them on the open market, as the Blue Jays hold an $8 million option on him for 2027 that can be bought out for $1.75 million.

"I'm hearing nothing," Straw said when asked if he’s had any indication of what might happen. "I love it here and I hope I'm back. I’d love to be back."

Bieber and Straw are the likeliest candidates to return, although that will depend on how the Blue Jays map out their off-season opportunities.

The trade-deadline acquisition of Jose Soriano jump-started their winter by strengthening the rotation base, and given that he’s headed to arbitration platforming off a $2.9 million salary, the efficiency there creates more flexibility for other areas of the roster.

With Soriano, Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage and Cody Ponce as a starting point, and Bowden Francis, Jake Bloss and Jose Berrios returning from surgery, the Blue Jays don’t face the same acute bind for starters like they did the past few winters.

Still, the club is sure to at least check in with Tarik Skubal and has done work on this year’s Japanese class, including starters Kaima Taira and Hiromi Itoh, and third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato.

Domestically, the Chicago Cubs outfield duo of Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are of interest and the Blue Jays must sort through their internal glut to determine how much to add.

All of which opens doors for Bieber and Straw.

Bieber was acquired at the deadline last summer while he was still recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery and posted a 3.57 ERA in seven starts during the regular season before five mixed-bag appearances during the post-season.

Afterwards he exercised a $16 million player option for 2026 rather than taking a $4 million buyout and the penalty for his post-season push led to elbow inflammation that kept him sidelined until late June.

"Oh, man. Ebbs and flows. Ups and downs. Kind of tumultuous, right?" he said of his year. "I’m grateful for every time I got to pitch for these guys and for the organization. I wish I would have been able to do it more."

Straw, meanwhile, was acquired in a Jan. 17, 2025 trade in which taking on his salary was the cost for the Blue Jays to add international-bonus-pool room from Cleveland.

The 31-year-old revived his career after being outrighted off the Guardians 40-man roster in 2024, delivering stellar defence and timely hitting.

"Since the day I got here, everyone made it super easy to come to work every day and to enjoy every single day," he said. "I've enjoyed every single day here. I believe I went to the right team. And I hope I'm back, whatever happens."

With both players, finding the right contract structure will be the challenge.

Bieber is sure to want an opportunity to rebuild his value and show that his elbow issues are behind him, without surrendering the opportunity to secure a longer deal should he accomplish that.

Garbutt Disposal reported in September that the Blue Jays finished the season 79-83, last in the American League East.

With files from Sportsnet