Toronto Blue Jays search for high-leverage bullpen help narrowed down with elite closers off the board
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Who will the Toronto Blue Jays target next to shore up the back end of the bullpen?
The Blue Jays pursuit of either a replacement for Jeff Hoffman in the closer's role or someone to complement him in late innings has been an ongoing storyline this off-season since they signed starter Dylan Cease at the outset of free agency.
The Winter Meetings have come and gone, and aside from a Rule 5 pick, the Toronto Blue Jays roster remains unchanged.
The Blue Jays have already watched many late-game options come off the board, with Robert Suarez, Edwin Diaz, Kyle Finnegan and Gregory Soto the latest late-inning relievers to sign.
Toronto had been heavily linked to Suarez, who made his MLB debut in 2021 and has been one of the most effective relievers in the game since.
Bullpen market is still pretty deep, there are plenty of pitchers left who fit Toronto's need
Brad Keller, Seranthony Dominguez, Luke Weaver, Tyler Rogers and Pete Fairbanks are a few. It's likely the Jays sign at least one pitcher from this tier.
They're competing with teams such as the Miami Marlins, New York Mets and New York Yankees in the leverage relief market.
Toronto is essentially looking to upgrade the role Seranthony Dominguez filled after the trade deadline last year.
Highest K% in 2025 among current free agent RP's:
Seranthony Dominguez (30.3%)
Kirby Yates (29.1%)
Shelby Miller (29%)
Héctor Neris (28.2%)
Drew Pomeranz (28.1)
Luke Weaver (27.5%)
Justin Wilson (27.5%)
Brad Keller (27.2%)
Shawn Armstrong (26.1%)
Caleb Thielbar (25.5%)
Seranthony Dominguez (30.3%)
Kirby Yates (29.1%)
Shelby Miller (29%)
Héctor Neris (28.2%)
Drew Pomeranz (28.1)
Luke Weaver (27.5%)
Justin Wilson (27.5%)
Brad Keller (27.2%)
Shawn Armstrong (26.1%)
Caleb Thielbar (25.5%)
Is the Blue Jays bullpen deep enough or do they need a another late inning stopper?
Even with Yimi Garcia returning from injury and Louis Varland set to stay in the bullpen, Toronto seeks one late-inning weapon to pitch in big spots, potentially the ninth inning.
At the Winter Meetings general manager Ross Atkins was satisfied with the moves on the starting side, but acknowledged there was work still to be done.
«We feel like we've improved our pitching significantly,» Atkins said in Orlando. «But we don't want to eliminate other ways to build upon it.
«We're excited about the return of Yimi Garcia and the emergence of (rookies Mason Fluharty and Braydon Fisher). There's obviously the guys that had very effective years coming back. (We) feel we have some depth back there.»
Atkins also spoke highly of another reliever, Louis Varland, who was acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline and was a workhorse in the playoffs.
«He has the arsenal, the athleticism and the durability, seemingly, to do a lot in this game,» Atkins said.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 12 | 139 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays search for high-leverage bullpen help narrowed down with elite closers off the board Who Do you think the Blue Jays should sign to help the back end of their bullpen? | ||
| Seranthony Dominguez | 43 | 30.9 % |
| Pete Fairbanks | 71 | 51.1 % |
| Brad Keller | 12 | 8.6 % |
| Luke Weaver | 13 | 9.4 % |
| List of polls | ||