Last week, I broke down how the Jays can get better in 2025 (they need to). But, upon writing that article, I was inspired to dig a little deeper into the bullpen — an area the Jays will most certainly need to improve next year if they’re gonna be good, or even watchable.

The Blue Jays currently have a 5.02 bullpen ERA, just a hair behind the White Sox for second-worst in baseball. Real contenders like Cleveland, Atlanta, Houston, LA, and New York all have top-10 bullpens.

Toronto could use better seasons out of Erik Swanson and no regression from Chad Green. But, here are four other guys who could help transform Toronto’s ‘pen in 2025:

Romano’s 2024 was terrible. His velocity was down, whiff rate plummeted, and opposing batters saw their average exit velocity and barrel rates skyrocket.

Romano was pitching like he was hurt. Oh, wait, he was? Well, that makes sense.

The Jays so desperately need a rebound season from Romano next year. He could probably save the ‘pen himself if he’s back to a mid-2s ERA consistent closer, pushing everyone down the reliever pecking order behind him.

But, they also need him to stay healthy. Even though Romano missed most of this season, he’s been kind of dodging major bullets the last few years. Right elbow inflammation twice this year, a nagging back injury last year, and a nerve injury in his throwing arm in 2023 — but, no massive surgery that sidetracks a career.

None of the rest of this list really matters if the Jays don’t get back a dealing and healthy Romano in 2024.

Fluharty is one of a bunch of true relievers the Jays picked up in the 2022 draft. But boy could they use him working out.

Over the last three years, Tim Mayza and Genesis Cabrera are the only lefty relievers the Jays have gotten more than 36 innings out of. Of the others (Anthony Kay, Ryan Borucki, Brendon Little, etc.) the results haven’t been particularly pretty. Toronto’s search for a reliable lefty in the post-Mayza era could be single-handedly ended by Fluharty.

The 23-year-old is currently carving Triple-A hitters, rocking a 3.67 ERA with 10 K/9, 3.8 BB/9 and just five homers allowed in 54 innings.

He’s still gotta figure out how to get righties out, though. Right-handed batters are hitting .272 off Fluharty with a .809 OPS. That will prevent him from getting a regular MLB job if it goes unfixed. The problem with Fluharty rocking mainly a cutter and slider is he doesn’t have much to move away from the righties. If he somehow added a changeup…. watch out.

Danner had the shortest of MLB debuts last season, facing exactly one batter before suffering an oblique strain that ended his season.

That’s kinda been the Danner story. He’s had a few forearm inflammation issues, an oblique strain, and missed a few months already this year. But, when he’s on the mound… insert fire emoji here. Across the upper minors the last two seasons, Danner is rocking a low-3s ERA, striking out over 11 batters per nine, and keeping the walks manageably low.

He’s kinda Nate Pearson if you took out the storyline of trying to keep him a starter for the first four years of his career.

Danner is currently back in the Bisons’ bullpen and one of the main options for Buffalo saves. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the righty back up with the Jays at some point in September if he can stay healthy. And, as long as he’s on a mound next year, Danner will have a real shot to win a 2025 job.

This bullpen can’t come back as is and solely bank on minor leaguers and bounce-backs. They’re going to need some external help.

I’ve pounded the drum for Chris Martin before, and he enters free agency again this winter. But, the following pending free agents also stick out to me. All three guys currently rank top-15 among all MLB relievers in strikeout rate minus walk rate (K%-B%), a stat I know the Jays internally value in pitching: David Robertson, Yimi García, Kirby Yates.

They’re all going to cost more than Toronto’s been willing to pay for RPs in the past. But, fixing this bullpen problem is going to cost some cash.