Dream Blue Jays bullpen for the 2026 season

The Toronto Blue Jays revamped their bullpen for the 2025 MLB season after a disastrous 2024 campaign that saw them rank near the bottom of the league in many statistical categories. In 2025 the relief corps was more respectable this past year, finishing 16th in the league in ERA (3.98), 14th in WHIP (1.28), 12th in saves (42) and fifth in strikeouts (644).

It just so happens that the free agent market this offseason consists of many elite, high-leverage arms that Toronto can aggressively pursue to bolster their roster for 2026. As a result, what would a potential dream Blue Jays bullpen for the upcoming season look like.

Dream Blue Jays bullpen for the 2026 season

Louis Varland

Louis Varland’s usage during the Boue Jays postseason run clearly showed how important of a piece he is to the team going forward. Appearing in almost every playoff game for Toronto, Varland was trusted in all situations, including as an opener. With a career-best 2.97 ERA and 1.20 WHIP while striking out 75 in 72.2 total innings pitched over 74 appearances in 2025, look for the 27-year-old continue to blossom into a bonafide shutdown reliever in due time.

Eric Lauer

There may not be a spot in the rotation for Eric Lauer next season, but he should fit in well as a valuable long man in the bullpen. Lauer posted one of the best seasons of his MLB career in 2025 with the Blue Jays, compiling a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 1.11 WHIP along with 102 strikeouts in 104.2 innings pitched over 28 outings that included 15 starts. Therefore, he can also provide some much-needed starting pitching insurance as a potential swingman in the coming year.

Mason Fluharty

Despite some struggles earlier during the season, Mason Fluharty sure rounded into form down the stretch and into the playoffs. In fact, in his final 13 appearances of the regular season, Fluharty was lights out, sporting a 0.71 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched.

Fluharty had his statement game in August when he retired both Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts with the bases loaded to secure his first ever MLB save. Fluharty will look to build upon his breakout 2025 campaign to become the main lefty option for the Blue Jays bullpen in 2026.

Yariel Rodríguez 

For Yariel Rodríguez, his transition to the bullpen in 2025 after being mainly a starter for the Blue Jays in 2024 appeared to be a success. Rodríguez was one of Toronto’s most reliable relievers for much of the first half of last season. He may have encountered some struggles down the stretch, but he still managed to finish up with a solid 3-2 record, 3.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, along with 66 strikeouts in 73 innings of work over 66 appearances. With the ability to pitch as both a starter and a reliever, Rodríguez will remain a key piece of the pitching staff for 2026.

Yimi Garcia

Yimi Garcia may have had a forgettable 2025 campaign that was filled with injury woes that limited him to just 22 games played. Nevertheless, he remains a key cog for the Blue Jays bullpen given his proven track record. With a career 3.49 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, together with 204 strikeouts in178 total innings pitched in his four years with Toronto, look for the 35-year-old veteran to bounce back with a huge 2026 season with his health issues behind him.

Jeff Hoffman

Jeff Hoffman struggled a bit during his first year back with his old club in 2025. Often victimized by the long ball in which he yielded a league worst for a reliever, 15 home runs in just 68 innings pitched. Hoffman ended up with a 9-7 record with a 4.37 ERA in 71 games played.

Though the 32-year-old right-hander still recorded 33 saves and managed to be rock solid for the Blue Jays during September and October. Perhaps moving him into more of a setup role where he had a lot of success with the Philadelphia Phillies will enable Hoffman to revert to his dominant form.

Devin Williams 

The Boue Jays should make one of their two big splashes to improve the bullpen this offseason by signing former two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams. Williams had a disappointing 2025 campaign with the New York Yankees in which he posted a career-worst six losses along with a 4.79 ERA, although he did still record 18 saves in the process.

Despite the uncharacteristic performance, the 31-year-old right-hander showed signs of reverting to his elite form when the Yankees moved him out of the closer’s role. Williams went 1-1 with eight holds and a save while amassing a tidy 2.50 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched in his final 19 games down the stretch run.

Edwin Diaz

With rumours pointing in the direction of the Blue Jays, Toronto should make their biggest splash by landing their closer of the future with the electric Edwin Diaz. In 2025, Diaz posted a 6-3 record with 28 saves, a 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, along with 98 strikeouts 66.1 innings pitched over 62 relief appearances with the Mets.

More importantly, he only gave up four home runs all season. With the Blue Jays looking for more consistency from their closer, Diaz perfectly fits the bill and could stabilize the back end of their bullpen.