The Toronto Blue Jays have made significant moves this winter to bolster their pitching staff following a heartbreaking World Series defeat in 2025. Key acquisitions include standout starter Dylan Cease on a long-term deal, promising arm Cody Ponce, and reliable reliever Tyler Rogers.
These additions have strengthened both the rotation and the relief corps, yet experts suggest the team might still pursue more high-leverage options.
Bringing in Cease and Ponce has deepened the starting pitching depth considerably. This could potentially shift a veteran hurler from the previous year’s rotation into a hybrid or relief role, reducing immediate pressure on the bullpen. Even with Rogers now in the mix, many believe depth in late-inning arms remains valuable, as no team can ever have enough dependable relievers.
Jeff Hoffman served as the primary closer for Toronto last season, delivering mixed results overall. While he showed flashes of dominance and performed adequately in most playoff appearances, inconsistency plagued his campaign. Notably, he surrendered a crucial ninth-inning advantage during the decisive Game 7 of the World Series.
Apart from that pivotal moment, his postseason work was largely effective, but the team could gain from additional competition in high-pressure situations.
One analyst from Sports Illustrated, Tobey Schulman, has specifically recommended that the Blue Jays target veteran reliever Kirby Yates to address this need.
Yates enters free agency after a stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. Injuries to his back and hamstring limited his effectiveness last year, resulting in a subpar performance and no appearances in the postseason. Despite those setbacks, he demonstrated reliability earlier in the season.
In his initial 21 games, Yates maintained a respectable 2.95 ERA. His track record includes a standout All-Star campaign just the prior year.
During the 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, Yates excelled dramatically, compiling a 1.17 ERA across 61 appearances while notching 33 saves. He has earned All-Star honors twice in his career, both occasions coinciding with seasons where he handled full-time closing duties. Additionally, he topped the majors in saves back in 2019.
On the Dodgers, Yates transitioned away from primary closing responsibilities following the club’s acquisition of Tanner Scott during that offseason.
Toronto could potentially secure Yates at a modest cost, allowing him to vie for the ninth-inning role alongside Hoffman. At a minimum, he would provide a seasoned presence in the relief unit, offering a fallback plan should challenges arise for the current closer.
With the offseason ongoing as of late December 2025, the Blue Jays appear positioned to contend strongly once again. Adding a proven arm like Yates could further solidify their chances of returning to contention and finishing the job next time around.
