Blue Jays should call Yankees' free agents David Bednar and Paul Blackburn

The New York Yankees appear set for an offseason of change with several key names hitting free agency after being eliminated in the ALDS for the second straight year. 

Second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. headlines this group of soon-to-be free agents that also includes Trent Grisham, David Bednar, and Paul Blackburn. While the Blue Jays should probably avoid the first two, they should absolutely check in on both of the pitchers in their quest to improve this winter. 

The Yankees’ bullpen was extremely underrated in 2026, with Bednar and Blackburn both contributing massively to the success of the overall relief corps. 

Bednar picked up right where he left off after being traded to the Yankees at the 2025 trade deadline. He recorded 35 saves with an impressive 2.47 ERA (171 ERA+) and 9.9 K/9, continuing to prove that his poor 2024 campaign was an outlier in an otherwise excellent body of work. 

Blackburn, meanwhile, shined in a new role after spending years as a middling starting pitcher. He recorded a 1.69 ERA and 1.094 WHIP in 85 innings spread across 65 appearances. He was wonderfully versatile and extremely effective, even if his 3.75 FIP suggests he got somewhat lucky. 

While the Blue Jays’ bullpen was great in 2026, acquiring either of those pitchers would be a significant upgrade. 

David Bednar or Paul Blackburn could turn Blue Jays' bullpen into an absolute weapon

Bednar would get paid like a closer but would probably become the setup guy for Louis Varland. Or, perhaps the Blue Jays would prefer Bednar as their closer, knowing it would afford them the flexibility to deploy Varland more creatively? Either way, they would form a truly terrifying back-end duo. 

His price is likely to be the biggest obstacle. The Blue Jays should have plenty of money to spend this winter, but only the Los Angeles Dodgers have an unlimited supply. Their resources would probably be better off going towards a hitter rather than another reliever making upwards of $10 million.

Blackburn, alternatively, would give Toronto another reliable arm in front of Varland, Tyler Rogers, and Spencer Miles. It wouldn’t be surprising if whichever team signs him tries to stretch him back out into a starter, which would certainly make sense for the Blue Jays given their lack of rotation depth. 

The veteran right-hander should also be much more affordable than Bednar. The Blue Jays could probably add him as well as a big bat and a true starting pitcher, whereas Bednar would probably be the main addition on the pitching side if they signed him. 

Regardless of how Toronto’s front office ultimately decides to approach this free agent, both Bednar and Blackburn should be on their radar. Each could prove to be a meaningful addition to the 2027 pitching staff.

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