As it stands right now, the Toronto Blue Jays are the most complete team in the American League heading into 2026. And after getting to the World Series in 2025, the Jays seem to be perfectly capable of getting back there — and winning it.
Though Bo Bichette is currently a free agent, the Jays have added to their roster by signing Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers to multi-year deals. They are also still expected to land at least one of Bichette, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker.
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If they do that? Toronto will have an even better roster, but if we’re being greedy, there is one thing missing from manager John Schneider’s team.
A powerful and dynamic left-hander in the bullpen.
As it stands right now, the Jays figure to have seven of their eight bullpen spots filled.
Jeff Hoffman will serve as the closer with Rogers, Louis Varland and Yimi Garcia serving as high-leverage options. Jose Berrios and Eric Lauer are there as long-relievers/spot starters and Mason Fluharty is in as an additional left-hander.
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The No. 8 spot will be battled for, with several in-house options available, including Braydon Fisher and Yariel Rodriguez.
This bullpen has two lefties in it already with Lauer and Fluharty, but I said I was being greedy. Lauer was 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 2025, but his fastball averages just 91.7 mph. Fluharty was 5-2 in 2025, but he carried a 4.44 ERA. His cutter, which he predominately throws, averages just 90.2 mph.
There is no true power lefty in this ‘pen, and that’s something that is useful to any team – especially in the playoffs.
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If the Jays feel the same as I do, there are a few things open to them. First, they can simply wait for spring training roster cuts and see who hits the open market. If a player is cut from another organization, they would likely be a project, but Toronto could build them up in the minor leagues and then bring them up later on.
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Second, the Jays can simply wait for the trade deadline and see who is available then. That’s always risky, but the Jays should still be in good position with an opportunity to take off after the deadline.
Third, top prospect Ricky Tiedemann, who has flashed elite strikeout numbers in the minor leagues, should be an option at some point. Now, Tiedemann is a starter, but after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, he won’t be ready for a full starter’s workload. He could be an option for the Jays out of the bullpen as they manage his innings.
Still just 23 years old, he fanned 82 hitters in 44.0 innings in 2023.
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