The Toronto Blue Jays have added Tyler Rogers to the backend of the bullpen, but the team may not be done.
Toronto entered the offseason with a question mark in the closer’s role. Yet, the Blue Jays appear set to have Jeff Hoffman as the closer, so the team still could use another reliever for the middle innings.
Blue Jays analyst Ben Wrixon of BlueJaysNation believes Toronto needs to add another reliever, and someone with high velocity.
“The Blue Jays bolstered their current group by signing Tyler Rogers, who has been one of baseball’s best—and wackiest—relievers for years,” Wrixon wrote. “Yimi García will also be back after missing much of last season. Still, it’s hard to consider the team’s bullpen as one of its strengths. …
“What the Blue Jays really need is another high-velocity arm. Louis Varland is the only reliever on the roster who can dial his fastball up to triple digits. Seranthony Domíguez fit the bill after being acquired at the trade deadline, and he remains a free agent in need of a home. Reuniting with Domínguez would certainly make sense at the right price. Now is the time for the Blue Jays’ front office to be opportunistic. There are still plenty of relievers on the board, and some of them will wind up taking inexpensive deals.”
As Wrixon notes, there are several relievers still available, including Dominguez. But the analyst has another name in mind.
Analyst Urges Blue Jays to Sign Michael Kopech
Toronto could use another hard-throwing reliever, and Wrixon believes former first-round pick Michael Kopech fits the bill perfectly.
Kopech has spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers after beginning his career with the Chicago White Sox. He was a starter but has found more success in the bullpen, similar to Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman.
“Michael Kopech is a name to watch as far as hard-throwing righties are concerned,” Wrixon added. “Injuries limited him to just 11 innings this past season, but his fastball averaged 97.5 mph when he did pitch. He was great in 2024 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A “prove-it” deal with a contender like the Blue Jays to re-establish his value might be appealing.”
If Kopech can stay healthy, it would be a major move to the Blue Jays’ bullpen. He can start the year in middle leverage and come out with heat and get out of jams. If he can stay healthy, he could very well earn a high-leverage role and be an impact reliever for Toronto.
Toronto Could Use Another Reliever
The Blue Jays’ big addition to the bullpen was Rogers, who will be a set-up man in 2026.
However, manager John Schneider said at the Winter Meetings that the team could use another bullpen piece.
“Bullpen sticks out a little bit, and probably a bat of some sort,” Schneider said on Dec. 9. “You feel good about your offense, but adding would be would be nice and I think that’s a priority. Adding another high-leverage bullpen arm is another.”
Whether or not the Blue Jays will land another reliever is to be seen. But there are options available.
Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Blue Jays Urged to Sign Hard-Throwing Reliever to Add to Backend of Bullpen appeared first on Heavy Sports.
