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Three relievers the Blue Jays can target to replace Erik Swanson if he’s out long-term
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Photo credit: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Mar 12, 2025, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 17, 2025, 06:53 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays may need another reliever.
On Friday, On Monday, it was reported by MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson that Erik Swanson will meet Dr. Keith Meister on Thursday. That’s not a good sign.
The Blue Jays have already made a small signing, re-signing Dillon Tate to a one-year, $1.4 million deal. Tate has an additional option year and to make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays placed Angel Bastardo on the 60-day Injured List.
Still, Swanson was seen as someone who could’ve pitched in high-leverage this coming season and it could be worth it to sign a player who could fill the role Swanson was set to have.

David Robertson

David Robertson has been in the league for ages, making his debut with the New York Yankees in 2008 after being drafted by them in 2006. Although he’s 39 years old, the right-handed pitcher had a successful 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, posting a 3.00 ERA and a 2.65 FIP in 72 innings pitched, along with a 33.4 K% and a 9.1 BB%.
In years past, Robertson has experience as a closer, but he was mainly used as the Rangers set-up reliever, picking up 34 holds compared to just two saves. It’s a mystery as to why Robertson has yet to sign a deal.

Craig Kimbrel

At one point, Craig Kimbrel was one of the best closers in the game. In 2017 with the Boston Red Sox, Kimbrel posted an incredible 1.43 ERA and a 1.42 FIP in 69 innings pitched with a 49.6 K% and a 5.5 BB%.
Even as recently as 2023, Kimbrel had success. That season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Kimbrel had a 3.26 ERA and a 3.81 FIP in 69 innings pitched, with a 33.8 K% and a 10.1 BB% while picking up 23 saves.
Kimbrel’s season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 wasn’t great, finishing with a career-worst (minimum of 30 innings pitched) 5.33 ERA and a 4.18 FIP in 52.1 innings pitched. A positive sign is that Kimbrel still struck out 31.5% of the batters he faced. However, his velocity dropped to 94 mph and he had a 13.4 BB%, his worst (minimum of 30 pitches) since 2016.

Drew Smyly

The Blue Jays have quite a few left-handed pitchers on the 40-man roster, namely Brendon Little, Easton Lucas, and Josh Walker. Moreover, Ryan Yarbrough is competing for a spot in the Blue Jays bullpen as well.

If the Jays wish to add another left-handed reliever into the mix, Drew Smyly is a good option. Mainly pitching as a starter for the bulk of his career, the 2024 season was the first time in his career that Smyly pitched exclusively in the bullpen, posting a 3.84 ERA and a 4.91 FIP in 58.2 innings pitched.
The 35-year-old lefty has never had a big arm, posting a career K% of 23.1%. Last season with the Chicago Cubs, he had a 21.8 K% and a 9.7 BB% but still managed to find results.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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