Toronto Blue Jays Targeting High-Leverage Relievers

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.  

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) 

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

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". 

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. 

go get Kenley Jansen.   This guy knows how to pitch

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.