4 Blue Jays' bullpen trade targets Ross Atkins should be calling about right now

The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in an awkward position when it comes to what they do at the trade deadline. They sit within half a game of the third Wild Card spot (going into Jun. 8) but they haven't been fully healthy.

The pitching staff and offense have been bitten by the injury bug all year. However, some relief is in sight with Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer, Alejandro Kirk, Shane Bieber, and Addison Barger returning soon. The next month will be instrumental in affecting the direction the Blue Jays take at the trade deadline.

If they're buyers, then one position that needs attention at the trade deadline is the bullpen. The bullpen has pitched better of late, but it's better to have ample arms to draw on. Last season Louis Varland was a valuable trade asset from the Minnesota Twins, logging 23.2 innings and 28 strikeouts, but had a rough patch in which he allowed at least two runs in six straight outings. After that stretch, he finished the season strong, allowing a run in only one of his final seven appearances.

Varland has also been outstanding this year with an astounding 0.27 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 44.2 innings. He's also completed all 11 save opportunities that he has had since taking over the closer role.  

Like with Varland, who is under team control through the 2028 season, the Blue Jays have shown they don’t want to pursue rentals when it comes to adding bullpen arms. The deadline could get heated and these kinds or arms will be highly sought after and it might be better for Toronto's GM Ross Atkins to get ahead of the curve and start making calls about potential upgrades. Here are some options Atkins could pursue.

4 long-term free agent relievers the Blue Jays should target

Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels

Detmers has been a starting pitcher throughout his six-year MLB career, except last season. The entire 2025 season, he came out of the bullpen, making 61 appearances. It appeared to be a smart move because his 3.96 ERA was his second-best career mark, and he had a career-high 30.1 percent strikeout rate.

This season, Detmers ranks in the 88th percentile in strikeout percentage (28.5 percent) and the 84th percentile for expected ERA (2.93) and expected batting average (.207). So his 4.26 ERA is a little misleading.

He turns 27 in July, but is under team control through the 2028 season. Detmers is also a lefty, so he'd help ease Mason Fluharty's workload. This trade target brings MLB experience, is a long-term asset, and won't require giving up a top prospect.

Clayton Beeter, Washington Nationals

Beeter has thrown only 46 innings over his three-year MLB career, but in the 17 innings he's thrown this year, he's having a career year. His 3.18 ERA and 84.9 percent left-on-base rate are his best, but his 24.3 percent strikeout rate is the first time it’s been below 31 percent. The righty suffered a forearm injury in late April, but returned a month later.

The Nationals’ reliever brings experience pitching late in games, splitting closer duties with a former Blue Jays reliver, Richard Lovelady. Beeter is 4-for-6 in save opportunities this season, so he could be another option for the seventh or eighth innings in front of Varland. The righty is 27 years old, and he doesn't become arbitration-eligible until the 2029 season. Beeter also won't require a top prospect to acquire.

Riley O’Brien, St. Louis Cardinals

O'Brien is the oldest trade target in this article at 31, but while he has pitched across five seasons in MLB, he didn’t break out until last year. However, he threw only 10.1 innings in his first three seasons. In 2025 he posted a 2.06 ERA, a 22.6 percent strikeout rate, and held batters to a .194 average over 48 innings.

The closer hasn’t been able to reproduce that success this season, posting a 3.68 ERA and a 25.2 percent strikeout rate, but he's converted 17 of 21 save opportunities, and his 2.66 FIP is a career best. O'Brien wouldn't need to close for the Blue Jays, but could be another reliable late-game option.

The Cardinals were looking to rebuild at the beginning of the season, but they currently sit in second place in a tough NL Central and have a two-game lead for the top Wild Card spot. If the Cardinals struggle the next month, they may decide to become sellers, and O'Brien would be a popular target.

He doesn't start his arbitration period until the 2028 season, making him a great option for the Blue Jays to go after. Given his age and struggles, he also wouldn't require a top prospect to acquire.

Daniel Lynch IV, Kansas City Royals

Lynch would be another southpaw addition that would help ease Fluharty's workload. This season is his sixth MLB season, but he’s posting career best numbers. Over 26.1 innings, Lynch has been phenomenal, posting a 1.71 ERA, a 3.4 percent home run per fly ball ratio, and a 27.1 percent strikeout rate, all career-bests.

His WHIP (0.95), FIP (2.54), and batting average allowed (.175) are also career-best statistics. Lynch’s stats continue to stand out as you look further into his profile. He ranks in the 90th percentile or higher in expected batting average (.194) and whiff percentage (33.5 percent).

The southpaw is arbitration-eligible through the 2028 season, so he would be a welcome addition for the Blue Jays. With Lynch’s success, he would likely require a higher prospect than the previous named trade targets, but wouldn't require one of the top prospects.

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