logo
Blue Jays: Making the case for Louis Varland to be the closer in 2026
alt
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Aidan Sinclair
Feb 2, 2026, 18:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 2, 2026, 14:55 EST
Comments
Should the Blue Jays’ offseason be complete, it is safe to suggest they have drastically improved upon their starting pitching rotation.
The loss of Bo Bichette in the lineup has hopefully been remedied by the acquisition of Kazuma Okamoto, with there being potential for internal bouncebacks from the likes of Anthony Santander and Andres Gimenez, amongst others. The bullpen, on the other hand, has only seen one modification – the addition of Tyler Rogers. 
Rogers is a durable option that will improve the Jays’ bullpen, though he can only do so much on his own. In the regular season, the Jays ranked 16th in terms of ERA (3.98) and gave up the seventh most walks (241) as a unit. Jeff Hoffman was inconsistent at best in the regular season, serving up 15 home runs, more than the 14 he allowed in his previous three seasons combined. His seven blown saves tied him for the fourth most blown saves in the regular season, and though he was remarkable until Game Seven of the World Series in October, he simply does not possess the elite tools to be a reliable full-time closer. 
Only one reliever on the current 40-man roster does, and has the potential to reach 100mph with their fastball and 90mph+ with their offspeed pitches: Louis Varland.
Varland was brought over at the 2025 trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins amidst his best season in the Major Leagues to date. His 2.02 ERA through 49 innings demonstrated that a shift to the bullpen was much needed for the 27-year-old right-hander. Though his numbers became inflated down the stretch for the Jays, a full season as the team’s closer could serve him well. 
Between the Twins and Blue Jays, across 72 2/3 innings – the most of his career – Varland posted a 2.97 ERA, minuscule HR9 of 0.7, and a 145 ERA+. He became one of the more critical pieces to the Jays’ bullpen as they neared what would soon be their longest playoff run in 32 years. Pitching in 15 of their eventual 18 playoff games, Varland broke the record for most appearances in a single playoff run, being incredibly serviceable despite his workload. After giving up just six home runs across the regular season, his four home runs given up in the playoffs created reason for concern, though he limited damage for the most part, registering a 3.94 ERA in 16 playoff innings. 
Varland’s fastball ranks in the 95th percentile in velocity, averaging 98mph, with the potential to reach 101mph. Many fans who watched game one of the ALDS against the New York Yankees will remember his strikeout to end a bases-loaded jam, blowing a 101mph fastball past slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Additionally, Varland ranks in the 92nd percentile in extension and 86th percentile in chase rate, making his fastball appear even quicker to opposing hitters. 
Though his fastball presents tremendous upside, his knuckle curveball was his best pitch in 2025, registering a .210 BAA and a 38.8 Whiff%. This combination of a blazing fastball paired with a wipeout offspeed pitch is rare at the back end of the Blue Jays bullpen, and Varland possesses the tools to become a formidable closer if given the opportunity. Under team control through the 2030 season, Varland could develop into a reliable closing option, something the team has been seeking for years. 
Ross Atkins said earlier this offseason that nobody is married to the closer role and the team was in fact exploring options to address the back end of the bullpen externally, though those transactions never materialized.
The Jays may not need to look elsewhere for a young flamethrower to secure the closing role. They may already have their man in Louis Varland, who could surprise many in the 9th inning of 2026 Blue Jays games. 

PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER

Introducing Off The Roster—Toronto Sports, Unfiltered! Toronto sports fans, your new favourite conversation has arrived. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, Off The Roster dives into the city’s legendary plays, brutal trades, OG jerseys, celebrity tweets, and everything in between. Raw, fun, and totally unfiltered, this is Toronto sports like you’ve never heard it before. Tune in live every weekday morning on the Nation Network YouTube channel, or catch episodes wherever you stream podcasts. Proudly brought to you by our founding partner, PROLINE. Off The Roster—the new sound in the 6ix.

Featured

Editorials

Breaking News