Toronto Blue Jays "Emerging As A Strong Suitor" for Raisel Iglesias

[Matthew Lenz]

Earlier this week, the Toronto Blues were reported to be in "every market" and specifically to be interested in landing a high-end reliever. Reporters from the Athletic previously named Pete Fairbanks,  Devin Williams, Phil Maton, and "other similar relievers" as possibilities. Now, we have another name to add to the list.

Francys Romero is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have "emerged as a strong suitor" for Raisel Iglesias. The 36-year-old has been among the game's best for nearly a decade and hasn't shown signs of slowing down.

Iglesias appeared in 70 games for the Atlanta Braves during the 2025 season, throwing 67 1/3 innings in relief. The right-hander recorded a FIP of 3.31 and produced a 21.4% K-BB%. Converting 29 of 34 saves, Iglesias generated a Win Probability Added (WPA) of 1.04 in 2025. Given his age, MLBTR anticipates a short-term deal, netting $32 million over two seasons.

Of the names mentioned, which would you prefer the Jays to add? Let us know in the comments!

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[jaysblue]

I see the appeal regarding Iglesias with the short term deal. He's going to be 36 next season, so age could be a concern but if on a one or two-year deal, should be alright. He did bump up his K rate from 2024 which is encouraging. 

Would prefer going after someone like Devin Williams if he only requires a 2 or 3 year deal with some options attached. Even after his worst season, still posted a 1.4 fWAR, and 13.06 K/9 and he's still just 30. He offers the most upside. 

Diaz will be expensive and not sure I would want to allocate all that AAV and years towards a closer. Not a huge fan of Suarez unless he comes on a short term deal as well, given his age. 

Helsley could also be interesting on a short term deal. Kenley Jansen likely would sign a one-year deal, though his K rates and FIP went in the wrong direction this past season. Unless you get the Kenley from 2024, but not sure. 

 

 

[hanton]

Don't do it

 

[Spanky__99]

51 minutes ago, hanton said:

Don't do it

 

Don't do what, sign a high leverage reliever?

[Pendleton]

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/raisel-iglesias-628452?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

 

His success doesn't seem to be any sort of mirage

[Jonn]

f*** no to Igleasis. I would rather keep Hoffman the closer and do a couple good Bullpen additions to the price he would cost who I don't think moves the needle at all. I also hate his stupid tattoos.

If you want to add a closer this off-season. You're looking into those elite swing and miss and strikeout types. Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams.

[glory]

If this is the move they make 2 months from now then it is what it is, but this soon when the market hasn’t been established yet would be disappointing. Aim higher. Settle when you have no choice.

[Pendleton]

1 hour ago, Jonn said:

f*** no to Igleasis. I would rather keep Hoffman the closer and do a couple good Bullpen additions to the price he would cost who I don't think moves the needle at all. I also hate his stupid tattoos.

If you want to add a closer this off-season. You're looking into those elite swing and miss and strikeout types. Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams.

Last year, Iglesias was in the 90th percentile for chase % and 88th percentile for whiff %. Also 81st percentile for K % and 88th percentile for hard hit %. That's a good amount of swing and miss, without getting hit hard, nor does he walk many (76th percentile). I like the idea if the term is short, giving a big long term deal is scary with any RP.

 

By comparison, Iglesias is slightly behind Hoffman in terms of getting whiffs but also far less prone to walks and hard contact. More of your standard late inning RP profile. 

[Spanky__99]

1 hour ago, glory said:

If this is the move they make 2 months from now then it is what it is, but this soon when the market hasn’t been established yet would be disappointing. Aim higher. Settle when you have no choice.

What's the difference? I'm pretty sure they want to sign Bo, sign a SP and a reliever, doesn't matter how that rolls out. Just Git R Dun!!!

[jmomcc]

1 hour ago, Jonn said:

f*** no to Igleasis. I would rather keep Hoffman the closer and do a couple good Bullpen additions to the price he would cost who I don't think moves the needle at all. I also hate his stupid tattoos.

If you want to add a closer this off-season. You're looking into those elite swing and miss and strikeout types. Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams.

Yea, i think someone like Williams at the top of the market, or a reclamation at the bottom. 

[Spanky__99]

24 minutes ago, jmomcc said:

Yea, i think someone like Williams at the top of the market, or a reclamation at the bottom. 

That's a very broad window of pitchers.

I wouldn't mind a guy like Fairbanks and say Thielbar, Pomeranz, Coulombe or Taylor for a LHRP. 

[jmomcc]

44 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

That's a very broad window of pitchers.

I wouldn't mind a guy like Fairbanks and say Thielbar, Pomeranz, Coulombe or Taylor for a LHRP. 

I basically mean stay out of the middle. 

[Pendleton]

1 minute ago, jmomcc said:

I basically mean stay out of the middle. 

I get where you are coming from, not wanting to spend precious remaining budget on anything middling. I just have Iglesias a hair above the middle, he's proven to be pretty darn effective and might very well be our best RP (less volatile profile than Hoff). Perhaps not elite but at the bottom of the top end, it's a quality addition. Plus I don't know that it would necessarily prevent us from also pursuing someone like Diaz and having a really loaded up pen. 

[hanton]

did you guys watch him pitch?  he got obliterated in the 1st half and alot of his stats are based on lower leverage situations plus he's more likely to drop off then maintain what he did in the 2nd half off 2025.  Aim higher, he's plan c for me

[Spanky__99]

23 minutes ago, hanton said:

did you guys watch him pitch?  he got obliterated in the 1st half and alot of his stats are based on lower leverage situations plus he's more likely to drop off then maintain what he did in the 2nd half off 2025.  Aim higher, he's plan c for me

Right, and Jansen was better. Please, tell me that next?

 

[Spanky__99]

Plan A for relievers are sic!

[Omar]

Take all these Jays rumors with a grain of salt. They will likely be talking to everyone.  That said, go big or go home with the relief core. Spending big dollars on the bullpen is dumn.

[M.E.]

6 hours ago, Jonn said:

f*** no to Igleasis. I would rather keep Hoffman the closer and do a couple good Bullpen additions to the price he would cost who I don't think moves the needle at all. I also hate his stupid tattoos.

If you want to add a closer this off-season. You're looking into those elite swing and miss and strikeout types. Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams.

No way they are keeping the guy in the closers role that just cost them a World Series.  

[John_Havok]

26 minutes ago, M.E. said:

No way they are keeping the guy in the closers role that just cost them a World Series.  

It's entirely possible they are. 

Regressing his HR rate to even well above average(in a bad way) and hes very effective. Theres no reason to expect that HR rate to carry over to 2026 jast because it happened in 2025. 

[Joltin Joe]

You want a veteran closer. Because they will sign a short term contract. Closers usually have short shelf life. Guys like Diaz will want long term. 

[Spanky__99]

2 hours ago, Joltin Joe said:

You want a veteran closer. Because they will sign a short term contract. Closers usually have short shelf life. Guys like Diaz will want long term. 

lol... just stop trolling man. 

[jaysblue]

Bring back Kevin Gregg out of retirement! 

[Delete_My_Account_Thanks]

Pete Fairbanks should be cheaper, is only 30 and is just as good going forward.

 

Sign Fairbanks, a starter and either Bo or Tucker.

[Joltin Joe]

18 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

lol... just stop trolling man. 

You want another BJ Ryan? Closers have short careers. 

[mphenhef]

The Jays are going to be tied to nearly every free agent this year regardless of whether or not they actually are.   Agents know the Jays are going to spend and will be using that to try to gain leverage with other teams.

[Spanky__99]

9 hours ago, Joltin Joe said:

You want another BJ Ryan? Closers have short careers. 

That's the risk you take with anyone that throws overhand, man?

[Spanky__99]

3 hours ago, mphenhef said:

The Jays are going to be tied to nearly every free agent this year regardless of whether or not they actually are.   Agents know the Jays are going to spend and will be using that to try to gain leverage with other teams.

This holds true with all big market teams, they kick tires with everyone.

 

[Terminator]

I didn't realize how good and consistent Iglesias has been throughout his career.

He's been a reliever for 10 years now and has put up at least 1 WAR with a FIP lower than 3.30 in every single year except way back in 2018 (4.23 FIP that year but a 2.38 ERA).

You could probably get him on a one year deal and I'd be down for that.

[Angrioter]

On 11/15/2025 at 2:34 PM, Jonn said:

f*** no to Igleasis. I would rather keep Hoffman the closer and do a couple good Bullpen additions to the price he would cost who I don't think moves the needle at all. I also hate his stupid tattoos.

If you want to add a closer this off-season. You're looking into those elite swing and miss and strikeout types. Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams.

Are you Miguel Rojas? 

[Orgfiller]

1 hour ago, Terminator said:

I didn't realize how good and consistent Iglesias has been throughout his career.

He's been a reliever for 10 years now and has put up at least 1 WAR with a FIP lower than 3.30 in every single year except way back in 2018 (4.23 FIP that year but a 2.38 ERA).

You could probably get him on a one year deal and I'd be down for that.

The only real question marks for Iglesias is that he's getting up there in age. He's as rock solid as they come otherwise. Been aging as one of the best "old guy" relievers out there, but you start to worry that eventually he'll hit a wall. Sign me up for a reasonable one year deal of course.