These 4 relievers are the only ones the Blue Jays must bring back in 2025

St. Louis Cardinals v Toronto Blue Jays
St. Louis Cardinals v Toronto Blue Jays / Mark Blinch/GettyImages
1 of 3
Next

It's no secret that the 2024 season has been extremely disappointing falling short of expectations sadly the bullpen has played a major part in that. Not only has this group ranked one of the worst bullpen's in franchise history, they've been one of the worst bullpens in the majors. They've given up most homers (89), 27th in ERA (4.72) and 29th in strikeouts with 481.

In order to compete within one of the toughest divisions in baseball again, revamping an abysmal bullpen must be one of the top priorities. Although this doesn't make for pretty reading there are a few members that the Blue Jays must bring back in 2025.

Génesis Cabrera

Cabrera's had a solid year for Toronto owning a respectable 3.10 ERA in 61 innings pitched. He's pitched significantly better to lefties than righties holding opponents to a .220 average, (compared to .278 against RHB) with nine walks alongside a .730 OPS.

He's thrived in medium-leverage scenarios yet most of his appearances this season have come in low leverage (45 games), where he's struggled the most and given up seven home runs. Though a small sample size he has struggled over his past seven games 4.26 ERA, seven hits, three earned runs and five strikeouts, He will be a free agent after the 2025 season alongside Chad Green and Jordan Romano. Yes, Cabrera struggles at times with his command; perhaps he should pitch more in lower leverage he does pitch extremely well against left-handed batters.

Chad Green

Green took over the closer's role earlier in the season from Romano,, who went down with an elbow injury. In addition, the Blue Jays made a brave decision not to move on from Green at the trade deadline, despite interest from his former team the Yankees, when his value was at his highest.

Since the deadline, Green has secured nine saves three of which were blown and seen his ERA increase from 1.57 to 3.35. Reasons behind this could be fatigue and an increased workload given this is his first full season since returning from Tommy John surgery towards the end of the 2023 season. With the expectation that Romano will be ready for the start of spring training, he will return to the closer's role with Green once again functioning as the set-up man.

Brendon Little

One of the more underrated yet one of the most valuable members of the bullpen is Brendon Little; acquired from the Cubs last November in a minor trade for cash. He initially struggled to start the season, failing to make the Opening Day roster, and endured a horrific debut with team after he was called up on April 25. Yet, the Blue Jays restored their trust in him deciding to recall him from the Bisons back on June 1 when Bowden Francis went on the injured list.

It's fair to say the move has paid off posting an impressive 2.86 ERA giving up just seven homers, 13 earned runs and 30 strikeouts. His consistency since his call up back to the majors including his effectiveness to pitch with runners on base shouldn't be ignored, he may struggle with command at times especially against right handed batters even so Little should be on the Opening Day roster next year.

Ryan Yarbrough

As Toronto's only impending free agent Ryan Yarbrough has stepped up in a bulk role ever since his acquisition from the Dodgers at the deadline that sent Kevin Kiermaier the other way. In 11 appearances, only once has Yarbrough given up more than one run, posting a 2.28 ERA along the way.

On Sunday in his return to Tropicana Field, a place where Yarbrough used to dominate his current team, he threw 4.1 shoutout innings with three hits and seven strikeouts. After the Blue Jays were swept by their division rival ending their road trip John Schneider described Yarbrough as 'a really valuable piece to have.' It'd be a brilliant move to bring him back even on a one-year deal projected to get $4.5million, the question for the Blue Jays is: is that feeling mutual?

Next