The Toronto Blue Jays continue to be interested in adding a late-inning reliever to their bullpen, according to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon.
Bannon reported on Saturday after closer Ryan Helsley joined the Baltimore Orioles on a two-year deal that the Jays had at least preliminary interest in Helsley, Raisel Iglesias and Phil Maton, the top three relievers to sign so far this off-season. Bannon adds Toronto continues to shop for an arm in the 7th to 9th-inning range.
In addition to Helsley joining the O’s, Iglesias reached a one-year deal to return to the Atlanta Braves and Maton struck a two-year deal to join the Chicago Cubs.
General manager Ross Atkins said after the season he was open to moving closer Jeff Hoffman to the setup role, saying he views Hoffman’s flexibility as an asset.
A number of late-inning arms remain on the market, including Edwin Diaz, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Pete Fairbanks, Tyler Rogers, Robert Suarez, Brad Keller and Emilio Pagan, among others.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic previously reported that the Blue Jays met with Diaz’s representation in at the winter meetings in mid-November.
The Blue Jays got their off-season started with a bang last week when they added right-handed starter Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million contract.
As things currently stand, that would likely push left-hander Eric Lauer to the bullpen, giving Toronto a relief cast of Lauer, Hoffman, Yimi Garcia, Louis Varland, Mason Fluharty, Brendon Little and Braydon Fisher.
The Jays were 16th in bullpen ERA (3.98) and 12th in saves (42) during the 2025 MLB season.
After a roller coaster regular season as the team’s closer, Hoffman gave up a solo home run to Miguel Rojas while trying to close out the World Series in the bottom of the ninth inning of the team’s eventual 11-inning Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He had 33 saves during the regular season and a 1.46 postseason ERA.
