Blue Jays all-time best bullpen based on WAR

Tom Henke, 16.2 fWAR

With a 16.2 fWAR, Tom Henke is by far the best reliever in the franchise's history. The Blue Jays selected the young fireballer as a free agent compensation pick from the Texas Rangers before the 1985 season. A move that helped set the course for the team's success for the better part of the next decade.

In his first season in Toronto, Henke appeared in 28 games and secured 13 saves in 14 opportunities while striking out 42 batters and finishing the season with a 2.03 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He earned both Rookie of the Year and MVP votes for his efforts.

Nicknamed "The Terminator," Henke was about as steady as they come at the back of the bullpen. Following his rookie campaign, he earned 20 or more saves in each of his remaining seven seasons as a Blue Jay and saved 30 or more games four times.

His 62 appearances in 1987 led the majors, and his American League-leading 34 saves helped him earn his first of two career All-Star nods. With 128 strikeouts through 94 innings that year, he also received MVP consideration.

The 6-foot-5 righty racked up the strikeouts during his time in Toronto, with 644, the second-most. He also leads the franchise in saves by a wide margin with 217 and is second in innings pitched at 563, while his 2.48 ERA is the best among qualified bullpen arms.

Henke held the franchise record for consecutive saves converted for three decades, with 25, until Jordan Romano broke the mark in 2022.

Henke pitched in three postseasons with Toronto in 1985 and 1989 and, of course, helped capture the first World Series in 1992. His playoff numbers are immaculate. With a 1.83 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 19 2/3 postseason innings, he had a 2-0 record and picked up five saves.

Unsurprisingly, he was on the mound for the final out when the Blue Jays made history with their first World Series berth.

His performance during those 1992 playoffs is especially impressive. He threw 10 2/3 innings, gave up only one run, struck out 10 and kept a 0.88 ERA on his way to securing his five saves.

After leaving Toronto in free agency following the World Series victory, Henke pitched for three more seasons with the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his stellar career with 789 2/3 innings, while his 20.6 fWAR ranks 10th all-time among relievers in MLB history.