Blue Jays surprisingly expected to be in play for major bullpen arms this offseason

For the current offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays likely have pitching as their primary need with hopes to bolster their roster for the 2026 MLB season. Their starting pitching got some much-needed reassurance when former Cy Young Shane Bieber opted in to stay with the Blue Jays for the upcoming year. While they continue to search for another rotation arm, Toronto is also looking to strengthen their bullpen as well.

But apparently, the Jays aren’t expected to just be in play for solid, consistent relievers to stabilize their bullpen for 2026. In fact, with the MLB Trade Rumors latest top 50 free agents list, they have predicted that Toronto will surprisingly be in play for potential major reliever targets in free agency, including; Edwin Diaz, Devin Williams, Pete Fairbanks, and Gregory Soto.

Blue Jays surprisingly expected to be in play for major bullpen arms this offseason

Just because the Bue Jays already have Jeff Hoffman, it doesn’t mean they can’t go after a slew of closers to make their bullpen unstoppable. Look at what the New York Yankees did this past trade deadline when they added David Bednar and Camilo Doval to beef up their relief corps for the stretch run.

Diaz has opted out of his contract with the New York Mets, ad he becomes one of the most sought after relievers this winter, especially for big-time contenders just like the Blue Jays. After all, the 31-year-old right-hander had returned to his dominant form in 2025 when he posted a 6-3 record with 28 saves, a 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 98 strikeouts in just 66 1/3 innings of work. With that strikeout ability, he should instantly propel the Blue Jays into instant favourites for the 2026 campaign.

2025 may not have been the season many were expecting for Williams. In fact, it was easily the worst of his entire MLB career, compiling a 4.79 ERA, giving up 33 earned runs in 62 innings pitched. However, he still managed to strike out 90 batters in the process Nevertheless, he is still one of the best in the business whenever he is on his A-game and the Blue Jays could try to capitalize on a scared market for Williams.

There's also a chance the Blue Jays could weaken a divisional opponent who didn't make the playoffs, by taking the best reliever away from the Rays. That’s what the Blue Jays could do if they land Pete Fairbanks. Last season, he posted a 4-5 record with 27 saves, a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, while averaging close to a strikeout per inning over 61 relief appearances.

Finally, there is former two-time All-Star Gregory Soto. Soto struggled to just a 1-5 record with a 4.18 ERA and 1.43 WHIP split between the Baltimore Orioles and Mets over 70 appearances. Nevertheless, he has proven to get batters out courtesy of the strikeout, with 70 in just 60 1/3 innings of work.

In fact, Soto has averaged more than a strikeout per inning throughout his MLB career. So if the budget is tight for the Blue Jays, the 30-year-old left-hander could provide some good value at a lower cost compared to the previous three mentioned above.

After their recent World Series appearance established hope and excitement in the franchise, Toronto may have no choice but to keep going big from here on out. Bringing in any of these relievers into the fold would constitute as a big move.