Flaherty and Bieber Exercise Their Options for 2026; 9 More Players Are Free Agents, Bringing the Total to 162.

Phillies keep Jose Alvarado; pitchers Jack Flaherty, Shane Bieber exercise options

NEW YORK — Detroit pitcher Jack Flaherty and Toronto pitcher Shane Bieber exercised their player options for 2026 rather than become eligible for free agency, and the Phillies exercised their option on reliever José Alvarado. The Phillies exercised a $9 million option on Alvarado rather than pay a $500,000 buyout as part of a $22 million, three-year contract. The 30-year-old left-hander served an 80-game suspension from mid-May through mid-Augus…

Flaherty, Bieber exercise options for 2026 as 9 more players become free agents, raise total to 162

Detroit pitcher Jack Flaherty and Toronto pitcher Shane Bieber have exercised their player options for 2026 instead of becoming eligible for free agency.

Phillips on Bieber returning to the Jays, how much Bichette will demand in free agency and potential targets for the Jays

TSN MLB analyst Steve Phillips joins us to chat about Shane Bieber opting in to return to the Jays, why Bieber is a bargain at $16 million, why Bo Bichette will go to the highest bidder and more.

Sports Briefs: Flaherty, Bieber exercise options, 162 set to be free agents

NEW YORK — Detroit pitcher Jack Flaherty and Toronto pitcher Shane Bieber exercised their player options for 2026 rather than become eligible for free agency.

MLB Roundup: Diamondbacks' Gurriel Jr., Orioles' O'Neill stay put

NEW YORK — Detroit pitcher Jack Flaherty and Toronto pitcher Shane Bieber exercised their player options for 2026 rather than become eligible for free agency, and Philadelphia exercised its option on reliever José Alvarado. San Diego pitcher Wandy Peralta also exercised his option, while Arizona outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Baltimore outfielder Tyler O’Neill and Texas outfielder Joc Pederson decided not to opt out of their contracts. Nine mor…