Coming into the 2026 season, the Toronto Blue Jays have a small list of questions about how certain pieces will fit on the field and within the lineup. One of those questions is who best fits the closer role.

Reading this, you’re probably thinking, “The Blue Jays already have a closer.” You’re not wrong—the club does have a designated closer in Jeff Hoffman. The right-handed stopper joined the team for the 2025 season on a three-year, $33 million contract, and this marks his second season in Toronto.

Last season, Hoffman put together a solid year from a numbers standpoint, leading the league in games finished with 59. He pitched 68 innings, allowing 33 earned runs on 54 hits, while recording 33 saves in 2025.

He was ranked as one of the top closers in Major League Baseball last season by ESPN—again, largely based on his save total. However, a concerning number was his seven blown saves; he was among just five pitchers to record seven or more blown saves and was widely inconsistent all season long.

His first blown save of 2026 came in the home opener, when he gave up a 414-foot home run to Shea Langeliers. Looking back even further, Hoffman was responsible for allowing crucial runs in key games last season.

Miguel Rojas is a name he likely won’t forget, as Rojas took him deep in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series—a moment that played a role in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ championship. These high-profile blown saves tend to stick, and they can create trust issues in late-game situations. Hoffman had a solid postseason run and was a crucial arm for the club in the ALCS clinch over Seattle, but that one shot to Rojas will be a tough pill to swallow for some time.

That said, what other options does manager John Schneider have?

Schneider has mentioned that Hoffman doesn’t necessarily have to be the everyday option and won’t always be available to pitch the ninth inning. Every team needs a backup option—a fill-in or setup man capable of getting the job done.

Louis Varland may be the primary alternative to close out games behind Hoffman. In his time as a Blue Jay so far, he has shown flashes of dominance and strong closer-type traits. The big right-hander threw 16 1/2 innings during the 2025 postseason, working in high-pressure situations and key matchups.

Varland posted a 3.94 ERA in the postseason, recording one save while striking out 17 batters and walking just three. He features a four-pitch mix, highlighted by a fastball that averages 97 mph and can reach up to 99 mph. Varland has the raw stuff and swing-and-miss ability to handle both a setup role and potential closing duties.

The Blue Jays also added Tyler Rogers in the offseason, a signing that generated some excitement. Known for his submarine delivery, Rogers throws from a low, submarine arm slot—the complete opposite of Trey Yesavage’s over-the-top motion.

His combined 2025 numbers with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets were solid. He led the league in appearances with 81, throwing 77 1/3 innings while striking out 48 batters and walking just seven. Rogers isn’t a high-velocity pitcher, sitting in the mid-80s, but he attacks the strike zone with confidence and precision. He relies on a two-pitch mix—a sinker and a slider—and excels through command, location, and pitch intelligence.

So how does he fit into the closer conversation? His effectiveness comes from limiting hard contact and avoiding free passes. In 2025, Rogers posted a 2.4 WAR, a 2.1% barrel rate, a 16.1% strikeout rate, and an elite 2.3% walk rate. He doesn’t give up many free bases, nor does he allow much hard contact. Instead, Rogers induces weak contact and generates ground-ball outs, making him a valuable contrast to the rest of the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. The difference is that he doesn’t fit the mould of a closer in today’s game because of his methods (submarine, low velocity, groundout heavy) compared to an arm like Hoffman or Varland.

Between Rogers and Varland, the Blue Jays have viable options to support—or even temporarily replace—Hoffman in the closer role if needed. It doesn’t seem like manager John Schneider is willing to make any moves in the spot just yet, but the options are at least there for the Blue Jays skipper if he so chooses.

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