Why the Blue Jays Should Sign Danny Coulombe

The Toronto Blue Jays have done well so far in addressing their bullpen needs ahead of the 2026 MLB season. Last week, they added two relievers with funky deliveries to baffle opposing hitters: Tyler Rogers (via free agency) and Chase Lee (via trade). However, both pitchers just so happen to be right-handers.

During the 2025 season, the lefties in the Jays' bullpen included the likes of Brendon Little, Mason Fluharty, Eric Lauer, and Justin Bruihl. Bruihl, of course, was recently designated for assignment and traded by the Blue Jays to the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations. That leaves Little, who struggled immensely down the stretch and into the playoffs this past year; Fluharty, who is just coming off his rookie campaign with Toronto; and Lauer, who also has to serve as depth for the rotation. 

Given the uncertainty as to whether Little can rediscover his first-half form and Fluharty can follow up his debut with a solid sophomore season, the Blue Jays should look to add a proven left-handed reliever, just to ensure they have their bases covered. One southpaw that Toronto should target in free agency is former Texas Ranger Danny Coulombe.

Coulombe has flown under the radar for the majority of his 11-year MLB career. Nevertheless, he has been a steady presence in the bullpen for the past decade, playing for teams such as the Athletics, Twins, Orioles, and, most recently, the Rangers. Coulombe sports a career 17-10 record with a solid 3.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.62 FIP, and 5.2 bWAR, while averaging close to a strikeout per inning. He may not be your typical elite strikeout pitcher, but with a career 24% strikeout rate, he still ranks above the league average, while registering a fine 8.8% career walk rate.

In addition, Coulombe has pitched well against both left- and right-handed batters in his career. He has held lefties to just a .233 average with a sub-.600 OPS and righties to just a .222 average and sub-.700 OPS over more than 343 major league appearances. He gives up home runs to opposite-handed hitters almost three times as often as same-handed hitters, but a higher strikeout rate against righties has helped him compensate.

Despite his turning 36 in October, Coulombe still ranked among the league's best in 2025 when it came to opposing batters’ average exit velocity (87.5 mph), chase rate (36.2%), and barrel rate (5.2%). That is because the reliable lefty uses an effective combination of a cutter, sinker, four-seam fastball, and sweeper in his pitching arsenal, along with the occasional curve to throw off hitters. With his mastery of five different pitches, and without too much reliance on velocity, Coulombe could end up being effective even into his 40s.

With a projected salary of just a little under $4.5 million (per Spotrac) after making only $3 million this past season, Coulombe could be a low-risk, high-reward add to the Blue Jays bullpen ahead of 2026. He would serve as a strong safety net if Little and/or Fluharty falters in his role as a lefty specialist.