3 free agent relievers the Blue Jays should target after missing out on Fairbanks 

Entering the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays had originally set out to make significant improvements to their bullpen heading into 2026. So far, the Blue Jays have managed to recruit intriguing arms in Tyler Rogers from the free agent market and Chase Lee via a trade with the Detroit Tigers. However, they haven't been able to grab a back end difference maker.

With top free agent closer Pete Fairbanks now off the board after signing with the Miami Marlins this week, it has left the Blue Jays with almost a bare cupboard to choose from in terms of relievers that would move the needle. Nevertheless, being able to unearth a potential gem among those that remain in free agency could still be possible.

3 remaining free agent relievers the Blue Jays should target after missing out on Fairbanks 

Hunter Harvey

As a former first round pick by the Baltimore Orioles back in the 2013 MLB Draft, Hunter Harvey had his breakthrough in the majors with the Washington Nationals after joining the club as a waiver claim prior to the 2022 regular season. From there, Harvey posted back-to-back sub-3.00 ERA seasons while averaging more than a strikeout per inning in 2022 and 2023 with the Nationals. On top of that, he was also given a brief run as the team’s closer in 2023 in which he racked up 10 saves in the process.

After some struggles during his 2024 campaign that saw him get traded to the Kanasa City Royals prior to the trade deadline, Harvey returned to form in 2025 with the Royals, posting a 0.00 ERA and 0.66 WHIP in 12 relief appearances. Unfortunately, injury woes limited the 31-year-old reliever to just those 12 games as he looks for a fresh start once again in 2026.

As a result, assuming his health issues are all behind him now, Harvey is the perfect low-risk, high-reward option for the Blue Jays who could potentially serve as a middle reliever, setup man, or even act as insurance for the closer’s position given his previous experience in the role.

Danny Coulombe

Last season, Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty were the primary left-handed options for the Blue Jays relief corps. However, both pitchers had their ups and downs over the course of the season, with Little excelling at first but sputtered towards the end of the year and into the playoffs, while Fluharty started off strong, then struggled, then bounced back again to play a key role down the stretch and in the postseason.

With the uncertainty in their consistency entering the 2026 MLB season, it would make the most sense if the Blue Jays invest in a player who feels like more of sure thing, based on the track record, to act as their primary lefty specialist out of the bullpen.

Consequently, Toronto should pursue veteran Danny Coulombe, who is perhaps the best option remaining in free agency to satisfy that requirement. After all, Coulombe has been tough against lefties in his career, holding them to just a .233 average and .596 OPS in over 568 plate appearances.

More impressively, the 36-year-old reliever has gotten better with age, posting a bWAR of 4.1 along with an 11-6 record, 2.64 ERA, 156 ERA+, along with 175 strikeouts in 170.2 innings pitched overall since 2021.

Michael Kopech

Finally, we have the candidate that could provide the biggest potential value to the Blue Jays relief corps in Michael Kopech. There is a reason why the former 2014 first round pick was once a top 10 prospect in all of baseball. Equipped with a four-seam fastball that could hit triple digits, along with a complementary slider and cutter, Kopech would often overpower and throw off hitters with ease.

He might not have had as much success as an MLB starting pitcher to date, but he has flourished in the role as a shutdown reliever in recent years, especially as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Moreover, Kopech was dominant as the closer down the stretch for the Dodgers in 2024, posting a 4-0 record with six saves, a stellar 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, along with 29 strikeouts in just 24 total innings. More significantly, he played a key role as a member of the Dodgers’ bullpen posse during the MLB Playoffs that year, helping Los Angeles to a World Series title.

For this past season, injury woes ended up limiting Kopech to just 14 relief appearances on the season. But when he was healthy, he was at his best again, compiling a 2.45 ERA while averaging a strikeout per inning. Therefore, of all of the free agent relievers remaining in the market, Kopech has the greatest upside that could potentially elevate the Blue Jays bullpen to the next level.