Blue Jays Targeting High-Leverage Relievers to Strengthen Bullpen

The Toronto Blue Jays are making a statement this offseason: their bullpen needs a serious upgrade. They’re ready to spend big to get it done.

Toronto’s chasing a proven high-leverage reliever. They’ve zeroed in on some of the top free-agent arms—especially Edwin Díaz.

The hunt for Díaz, plus possible alternatives like Ryan Helsley and Pete Fairbanks, shows Toronto’s ready to overhaul their late-game pitching for 2026. That’s not a small move. They know what’s at stake.

The Blue Jays’ Bullpen Struggles in 2025

Last season, Toronto’s relievers put up a 3.98 ERA. That ranked them 16th in MLB—not terrible, but not close to elite.

For a team with playoff dreams, that’s just not enough. Jeff Hoffman, the closer, had some shaky moments in the ninth, and now the front office is clearly looking for change at the back end.

Why Edwin Díaz Tops the Wishlist

Edwin Díaz is, let’s be honest, electric. He’s one of the few relievers who can completely flip a bullpen’s identity.

The 31-year-old just opted out of a five-year, $102 million deal with the Mets. Now he wants a similar $100 million-plus contract. That would shatter Toronto’s previous record for a reliever’s salary.

Adding Díaz would:

• Give Toronto a true force in the ninth inning.
• Push current relievers into less stressful roles, deepening the bullpen.
• Show the league the Jays are all-in right now.

Of course, signing him isn’t cheap. The Jays would lose two draft picks and some international bonus pool money because he turned down a qualifying offer. That’ll tighten up their future pipeline a bit.

Alternative Options: Helsley and Fairbanks

If Díaz gets too pricey—or the payroll just can’t stretch that far—Toronto’s got backup plans. Ryan Helsley is one option. He had a rough 2025 with a 4.50 ERA, but maybe there’s a bounce-back in him.

His value’s lower, so the Jays might be able to work out a shorter, incentive-heavy deal. That could work out for both sides if things click.

Pete Fairbanks Brings Another Dynamic

Pete Fairbanks is also in the mix. He’s not as flashy as Díaz, but he’s steady and has handled high-pressure spots before.

Fairbanks might be a smart pickup for a team that wants stability without dropping $100 million. Sometimes you need reliability more than star power.

The Mets’ Position on Díaz

Meanwhile, the Mets could easily keep Díaz if they want. But new baseball boss David Stearns doesn’t usually hand out long-term pitching deals without a lot of thought.

That hesitation could open a door for Toronto—or maybe another team—to swoop in and grab one of the game’s top relievers.

Payroll Flexibility Will Be Key

Whether Toronto lands Díaz or settles for someone else, it’ll come down to how much room they’ve got in the 2026 payroll.

And it’s not just about the bullpen. The front office still has to figure out what to do with Bo Bichette, consider trades for Kyle Tucker, and shore up the starting rotation. It’s a lot to juggle.

Final Thoughts: Building for the Postseason

The Toronto Blue Jays chasing Edwin Díaz isn’t just a rumor. It shows they’re pretty determined to fix a bullpen that’s tripped them up in past playoff runs.

Maybe they’ll land the game’s top closer. Maybe they’ll pivot to someone like Helsley or Fairbanks if things get too pricey.

Either way, the offseason plan seems obvious. They want to upgrade the bullpen and hand John Schneider the right arms to actually hold leads late in games.

Honestly, Toronto’s probably going to be one of the busiest teams hunting for relief help this winter. If they pull it off, a much stronger bullpen might finally be the difference for a real championship push.

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