Blue Jays still hunting for pitching with sights set on former Chicago Cub

The Toronto Blue Jays' successful offseason has required a makeover of the starting rotation, with Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce joining forces with the existing foundation of Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage. However, the team has yet to address the holes in its bullpen, particularly the one that opened up when set-up man Seranthony Dominguez became a free agent.

Dominguez's control issues (14.0% walk rate with the Blue Jays) have sparked some conversation about more reliable veterans, such as former Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. Even with Edwin Diaz, Robert Suarez, and Devin Williams all off the market, Fairbanks isn't the only closer-caliber reliever still available.

In fact, Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reported the Blue Jays are interested in breakout reliever Brad Keller, who is a free agent after a sterling season with the Chicago Cubs.

Brad Keller could usurp Jeff Hoffman as Blue Jays' closer in 2026 if signed

Keller emerged as one of the most important high-leverage relievers for the Cubs this season, and by the time their playoff run came around, he was their de facto closer in October.

The Cubs are known to want to re-sign the veteran right-hander, though they've already inked Phil Maton and Hoby Milner to major-league contracts as part of an ongoing bullpen rebuild. It's possible they're already preparing for life without the 30-year-old Keller.

After years of jumping back and forth between the bullpen and rotation, Keller finally settled into a permanent relief role in Chicago last year and dominated. In 69.2 innings in 2025, he recorded a 2.07 ERA and 2.93 FIP while striking out 27.2% of opposing hitters. Notably, he was phenomenal at inducing groundballs (56.6%, 95th percentile) and limiting hard contact (30.6% hard-hit rate, 99th percentile).

That profile would complement Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman nicely, who was hit hard in his first season in Toronto but still generated elite strikeout (29.3%, 88th percentile) and chase rates (35.1%, 97th percentile).

Hoffman, who has 43 saves over the past two seasons, will be the Blue Jays closer on Opening Day in 2026 barring injury. Still, having someone like Keller -- who had three saves in 2025, plus two more in the playoffs -- would be nice insurance. Especially if Hoffman can't improve upon his 4.37 ERA from this past season.

Considering that most project Keller to earn no more than $10 million per year on a two- or three-year deal, he'd be a bargain if he can continue to dominate hitters the way he did with the Cubs. For a team that continues to improve in all areas, the Blue Jays could use an arm of his caliber in their bullpen.