The Toronto Blue Jays have been active this offseason, but the team could still make another move.
The Blue Jays put an emphasis on pitching, but the team only made one major addition to the bullpen, and that was signing Tyler Rogers. Yet, Toronto could use another high-leverage reliever to compete with Jeff Hoffman for the closer’s role.
Blue Jays analyst Thomas Hall of BlueJaysNation urges the team to acquire Houston Astros star reliever Bryan Abreu.
“Houston’s Bryan Abreu would also make sense in a similar role for the Blue Jays,” Hall wrote. “The 28-year-old, who’s owed $5.85 million in his final arbitration season, is coming off a career year with the Astros and did a tremendous job stepping into the closer’s role for Josh Hader, who missed the final two months with a season-ending shoulder injury.
“Pitching to a remarkable 2.28 ERA and 2.39 FIP with a 25 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate, worth 2.2 fWAR (tied for third-highest among big-league relievers) across 71 innings.”
Abreu is a pending free agent after this season, so Houston could look to offload him. The Blue Jays also have a surplus of outfielders, which could entice the Astros to deal Abreu.
The right-hander would be a high-leverage reliever for the Blue Jays and would add some competition for Hoffman to be the closer. Abreu was a World Series champion in 2022 and would join the backend of the bullpen that features Hoffman, Rogers, Louis Varland, and Yimi Garcia.
Blue Jays Wouldn’t Commit to Hoffman as Closer
Toronto went out and signed Hoffman last offseason, and he won the closer’s job.
Hoffman had a very up-and-down season, as he was dominant at times, but also had a home run issue. After he gave up the game-tying home run in the top of the ninth inning in the World Series, Hoffman’s future as the closer was put into doubt.
Entering the offseason, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins hinted at the team potentially adding a new closer.
“The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to that,” Atkins said on Nov. 6. “Talking about the cohesion and team approach (of the Jays), he epitomizes that. I think he would be open to anything that makes us better.”
Hoffman went 9-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 71 games last season, including going 33-of-40 in save opportunities. But, as of right now, it does appear Hoffman will be the Blue Jays closer, barring the team making another move.
Toronto’s Offseason Likely Completed
The Blue Jays have been active this offseason, and Toronto will likely carry this group into spring training.
Toronto did its heavy lifting early on, and Blue Jays insider Mitch Bannon of The Athletic believes their moves are over.
“In short, another major move appears unlikely for the Jays. However, they’ve surprised before. Toronto’s pitching staff appears essentially set,” Bannon wrote. “The Jays also project to have at least a two-win player (a solid starter or better) at every offensive position except left field. Even in left, they can dream of a Santander rebound.
“Barring a lineup-shifting trade, any incoming player would seemingly be a significant upgrade over Santander and Nathan Lukes. There just isn’t room (or need) for a mid-tier addition, and there aren’t many elite options left.”
Toronto enters the season as one of the favorites to win the AL again.
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