Blue Jays predicted to lose $26 million pitcher this offseason

The Toronto Blue Jays made a major move, trading for Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber. The 30-year-old pitcher hasn't pitched in a Major League Baseball game yet this season due to Tommy John surgery.

Early into the 2024 season, Bieber ended up getting Tommy John surgery, which has made him miss the last season and a half. However, the 2020 American League Cy Young award winner has been making rehab minor league starts and should be ready to start for the Blue Jays soon.

When Toronto traded for Bieber, they were hoping he could pitch in October, so the team will likely not rush him back. There is no reason to throw Bieber out until he's ready. The Blue Jays are in a great position to make the playoffs, and they won't need Bieber until October.

Bieber is on a two-year $26 million contract and has the chance to opt out after this year. If he pitches well, then he will test the open market. Kerry Miller from Bleacher Report thinks Bieber will leave the Blue Jays and sign with the Los Angeles Angels this winter.

"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," Miller wrote. "(Prediction: Los Angeles Angels throw a slightly irresponsible amount of money at Bieber.)"

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Bieber is from Orange, California, and played his college baseball at UC Santa Barbara. So signing with the Angels would be a homecoming for him.

More MLB: Blue Jays writer thinks team will regret trading for $26 million pitcher