Toronto Blue Jays Targeting High-Leverage Relievers

[Matthew Lenz]

Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Toronto Blue Jays are expected to be suitors for former Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. Today, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic confirmed and expanded on that rumor.

Bannon reported that the teams are targeting high-leverage relievers in free agency and identified Devin Williams, Phil Maton, and "other similar relievers" in addition to Fairbanks.

Williams struggled through 67 appearances for the Bronx Bombers, logging 62 innings pitched in relief. Though he posted a career-high 4.79 ERA, his 2.68 FIP suggests he was better than the surface stat indicates. On the other hand, his K-BB rate of 25.0%, which would be considered low for most pitchers, was below his career average. If we can point to one thing as the reason for his struggles, it would be his league-worst 55.2% strand rate—a number roughly 20 points below his career norm and typically not predictive from one season to another. MLBTR projects him to net $68 million over four years.

Maton appeared in 63 games between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers in 2026. He recorded a strong 2.79 ERA backed by an even better 2.60 FIP. Additionally, he posted a solid 23.4% K-BB rate. MLBTR named him an honorable mention on their top 50 free agents list, but didn't provide a contract prediction.

Who are other high-leverage relievers you'd like to see the Blue Jays pursue? Let us know in the comments!

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[Laika]

Devin Williams seems like the perfect buy-low but his numbers under the hood were so good that you wonder if there will even be any sort of discount. He could just get a big deal. 

Lots of interesting RP options this year. As usual. And lots of them will be landmines. 

Little and Fluharty have options; I would enjoy a Drew Pomeranz one year pact. That for the back end + someone from the top of the talent list (Suarez, Williams, Helsley) or at least the higher-octane one year deal bin (Fairbanks, Pagan, etc.) 

That would set up the depth chart for Little and Fisher to get optioned, so there is good depth. Of course dudes will get hurt in spring

[Brownie19]

Yeah - I like the idea of Devin Williams - especially if he comes at at discount in terms of years and AAV over guys like Suarez and Diaz.  All the underlying numbers suggest he's still a dominant high leverage reliver.  

[Pendleton]

4 hours ago, Laika said:

Devin Williams seems like the perfect buy-low but his numbers under the hood were so good that you wonder if there will even be any sort of discount. He could just get a big deal. 

Lots of interesting RP options this year. As usual. And lots of them will be landmines. 

Little and Fluharty have options; I would enjoy a Drew Pomeranz one year pact. That for the back end + someone from the top of the talent list (Suarez, Williams, Helsley) or at least the higher-octane one year deal bin (Fairbanks, Pagan, etc.) 

That would set up the depth chart for Little and Fisher to get optioned, so there is good depth. Of course dudes will get hurt in spring

I had the exact same thought on Williams, he may just have too much of a track record, someone will pay up. 

 

And yeah we will be quite flush with MLB relievers if they add anymore. Already sitting 8 or 9 deep (depending on rotation jobs) 

[Stangstag]

4 hours ago, Laika said:

Devin Williams seems like the perfect buy-low but his numbers under the hood were so good that you wonder if there will even be any sort of discount. He could just get a big deal. 

Lots of interesting RP options this year. As usual. And lots of them will be landmines. 

Little and Fluharty have options; I would enjoy a Drew Pomeranz one year pact. That for the back end + someone from the top of the talent list (Suarez, Williams, Helsley) or at least the higher-octane one year deal bin (Fairbanks, Pagan, etc.) 

That would set up the depth chart for Little and Fisher to get optioned, so there is good depth. Of course dudes will get hurt in spring

Would be hilarious to sign Devin just to have him absolutely shove and notch 5 saves against the Yankees

[Governator]

I'd be very much be down for Williams.  He seemed to struggle in the closer role for the Yankees, maybe lowers his value a bit?

[glory]

The Jays need to get this one right if getting a closer is on their wish list. As 2025 showed, John Schneider will live or die with whoever the 9th inning guy is regardless of actual results. They need someone with a good shot at being lights out, which isn't easy given how volatile relievers are. If the Jays are spending FU money this winter (remains to be seen), then wouldn't shock me if they went with Diaz, or maybe more likely Suarez. My guess is Williams will be a Dodgers "buy low". 

[Jonn]

I would prefer if the Jays were an the elite K/9 territory if they choose to spend money on Free Agent relief pitching.

Devin Williams being at 13 K/9 fits the bill nicely.

You really want those swing and miss and zero contact guys late in games. Thats who you pay a premium for. 

[G-Snarls]

This feels like the one off season in recent memory where buying an expensive shut down closer actually feels worth it 

[hanton]

go get Kenley Jansen.   This guy knows how to pitch

[glory]

According to Rosenthal, the Jays met with Edwin Diaz's agent during the GM meetings. It was categorized as not a "major development" and simply expressing interest in a good player. For some reason, I think this has a real chance of happening. The Jays got to the World Series and were 2 outs away from winning it with arguably the worst closer in the league (at least from May-onwards). They have the combination of need, money, and desperation that I don't think any other team in the league has as far as the closer position. They know they can't go back to Hoffman, and no one else internally can fill that spot. Whether they'd want to lose a pick and give up ~$100M for a closer is the question. Typically I'd say no, but after how Game 7 ended, who knows. Also depends on how much money they have to spend.