The Toronto Blue Jays are set on proving that 2025 wasn’t a fluke. They have been linked to several players across the board, from sluggers like Kyle Tucker to bringing back Bo Bichette to starters Framber Valdez and Tatsuya Imai. They’ve also been linked to relief pitchers, specifically Raisel Iglesias.
However, after a recent announcement from the Atlanta Braves, one of the best late-game relievers is off the table. On the surface, this may seem like bad news for the Blue Jays. Fortunately, it should send signals to Toronto fans that their sights are set on bigger and better things.
Toronto Blue Jays Were Linked to Raisel Iglesias Before Contract Announcement
On Wednesday, the Braves announced a new deal for their right-handed reliever. The team and Iglesias agreed to a one-year $16 million contract for 2026. The 35-year-old recorded 29 saves in 70 games in 2025.
Shortly after that announcement, a few insiders took to social media to reveal that the Blue Jays had interest in the pitcher. Francys Romero reported that another team, in addition to Toronto, had interest.
“Per sources, Raisel Iglesias received offers from the Dodgers and Blue Jays worth around $16 million, but ultimately chose to return to the Braves,” Romero wrote in one post on X.
“Correction here: The Blue Jays were very interested in Iglesias, but technically, they never made an offer.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers being in the same market as the Blue Jays makes sense. Both are teams coming off a World Series appearance, so they should be interested in the same players.
Ben Nicholson-Smith revealed a similar report to Romero.
“Heard per sources that Blue Jays talked to Raisel Iglesias before he signed with Atlanta, expressing some interest,” Nicholson-Smith wrote on X on November 19. “Jays didn’t make an offer.”
Other Relievers the Blue Jays Are Linked To
Iglesias’ return to the Braves this early in the offseason suggests he really likes playing there. It’s possible that this impression was given to the Blue Jays when they spoke with the players’ reps.
Luckily for the Blue Jays, there are plenty of big fish in the free agency pond.
Devin Williams
One of the most popular pitchers available is Devin Williams. He played for the New York Yankees last season, slotting in as an 8th/9th inning pitcher.
Mitch Bannon reported earlier in November that the Blue Jays would be looking at the next highest tier of relievers after Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez. In that report, he listed Williams as one of three potential targets.
Williams is expected to earn between $ 18 and $ 30 million on a one- or two-year contract.
Pete Fairbanks & Phil Maton
Another arm that Bannon mentioned was Pete Fairbanks. After he didn’t get his option picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays, he was linked to the Blue Jays. He isn’t the same strikeout threat as Williams, but he recorded 27 saves with a 1.04 WHIP and 2.83 ERA.
Phil Maton was also mentioned as a potential target. With 22 holds and five saves in 2025, he’s been more of a set-up arm to date. However, Jeff Hoffman had a similar profile before Toronto made him their closer for 2025.
Blue Jays Swinging Bigger?
Of those three relievers, only Williams would be considered a better late-inning reliever than Iglesias. With that being said, could the Blue Jays be in the market to add Diaz or Suarez?
Diaz had an incredible 2025 season. He threw 98 strikeouts across 66 1/3 innings and earned 28 saves. Additionally, he finished the year with a whopping 1.63 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. Adding that kind of talent as the closer and moving Hoffman to the set-up spot would be a massive improvement.
Suarez isn’t a slouch either. He enjoyed an incredible 2025 season, recording 40 saves and a 0.90 WHIP, along with a 2.97 ERA, over 69 2/3 innings.
The Athletic has Diaz tabbed for a four-year $84 million payday, with Suarez expected to land something in the neighborhood of a three-year, $54 million deal.
With the Blue Jays passing on Iglesias, it’s clear that they have their sights set on a bigger fish. If they walk into Spring Training with one of Williams, Diaz, or Suarez signed as their new closer, it will be a home run offseason.
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