The Toronto Blue Jays might be gearing up for another bullpen shake-up—and this name could surprise you. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Toronto has expressed interest in veteran reliever Pete Fairbanks, one of the most reliable late-inning arms still on the market. But here’s where it gets interesting—the Jays aren’t alone in the chase.
Rosenthal revealed that Toronto and Fairbanks were already viewed as a possible match earlier this offseason. That potential connection has only grown stronger now that top relievers are flying off the board. Following Ryan Helsley’s recent two-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, Fairbanks could be the next high-leverage arm to find a new home—and Toronto remains firmly in the mix.
The Blue Jays reportedly kept tabs on Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, and Phil Maton as well, but all three have since signed elsewhere. Fairbanks, however, remains available, and his consistent performance has made him a sought-after target for several playoff-caliber organizations—including the Miami Marlins and, unsurprisingly, quite a few other contenders hungry for bullpen stability.
Toronto’s pursuit of late-inning depth follows a blockbuster move that stunned baseball fans last week: the acquisition of starter Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million deal, the largest contract handed out by any team so far this offseason. With Cease anchoring the rotation, boosting the bullpen has become the next logical priority.
The need for a proven finisher became painfully clear in last season’s near miss. The Jays came within two outs of reaching the World Series before closer Jeff Hoffman surrendered a game-tying homer to Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, forcing extra innings in the decisive Game 7. Hoffman had been nearly untouchable throughout the postseason, posting a razor-sharp 1.46 ERA, but his regular season told a more complicated story—33 saves paired with 15 home runs allowed, the most ever by a Blue Jays reliever.
When asked about Hoffman’s future role, general manager Ross Atkins chose his words carefully, emphasizing the pitcher’s versatility rather than confirming him as the 2026 closer. That’s left fans speculating whether Toronto’s front office is ready to bring in new competition for the ninth inning.
Fairbanks, who spent seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, logged 27 saves and a 2.83 ERA last year while averaging nearly one strikeout per inning. Over the past three seasons, he’s racked up an impressive 75 saves and owns a career ERA of 3.19. Those numbers suggest a level of consistency that could make him a stabilizing force for any bullpen—something the Jays could sorely use.
But would bringing in a divisional rival’s former closer really solve Toronto’s late-game woes—or just add another layer of pressure to an already scrutinized bullpen? Fans seem divided, and with so many contenders circling Fairbanks, the Blue Jays may need to act fast if they want to secure his services.
What do you think—should Toronto go all-in on Fairbanks, or focus its resources elsewhere? Drop your opinions below and join the debate.
