{"id":112467,"date":"2026-01-19T00:05:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T05:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=112467"},"modified":"2026-01-19T00:05:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T05:05:15","slug":"three-relievers-blue-jays-could-add-before-spring-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/19\/three-relievers-blue-jays-could-add-before-spring-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Relievers the Blue Jays Could Look to Add Before Spring Training"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Major League Baseball free agent market had a busy week, with Ranger Su\u00e1rez<\/a>, Willi Castro<\/a>, Taylor Clarke<\/a>, Kyle Tucker<\/a>, Bo Bichette<\/a>, J.T. Realmuto<\/a>, and Victor Caratini<\/a> all finding homes for the 2026 season and beyond. With under one month until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, many free agents remain on the market to be signed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a strong off-season, bringing back Shane Bieber<\/a> and adding Dylan Cease<\/a>, Cody Ponce<\/a>, Tyler Rogers<\/a>, and Kazuma Okamoto<\/a>. Their bullpen mainstays consist of Jeff Hoffman<\/a>,\u00a0Rogers, Yimi Garc\u00eda<\/a>, and Louis Varland<\/a>, with options including Ponce, Braydon Fisher<\/a>, Mason Fluharty<\/a>, Bowden Francis<\/a>, Eric Lauer<\/a>, Chase Lee<\/a>, Brendon Little<\/a>, and Tommy Nance<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Blue Jays have shown aggression through the winter to improve on the team that finished runner-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers, so here is a look at three relievers: Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez<\/a>, Michael Kopech<\/a>, and Danny Coulombe<\/a>, who the Blue Jays could add to strengthen the bullpen for 2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dodgers
Oct 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Michael Kopech (45) reacts during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees in game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three Relievers the Blue Jays Could Seek to Add to the Bullpen This Offseason<\/h2>\n

Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

A deadline acquisition<\/a> by the Blue Jays in July from the Baltimore Orioles, Dom\u00ednguez was a big part of the Blue Jays\u2019 bullpen through the final two months and into October. In 67 total games in 2025, the right-hander was 4-4 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.277 WHIP, holding opposing batters to a .198 average against.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 24 games with the Blue Jays, Dom\u00ednguez pitched to a 2-1 record, 3.00 ERA, and 1.143 WHIP over 21 innings, all while holding opposing teams\u2019 hitters to a .169 average. Dom\u00ednguez brought in a big swing and miss ability, with a fastball, slider, and splitter arsenal, to strike out 10.7 batters per nine innings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the playoffs over 11 1\/3 innings, the 31-year-old was 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Opposing teams were only able to muster a .132 average. While walks can be a problem with the Dominican Republic native, seen by his 11 in the 11 1\/3 innings over the playoffs, Dom\u00ednguez has been a quality reliever throughout the duration of his seven-year career and would give manager John Schneider<\/a> another trusted high-leverage arm in the Blue Jays\u2019 bullpen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Kopech\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Kopech was only able to appear in 14 games in 2025, totalling 11 innings, a 2.45 ERA, and 1.727 WHIP. In those 11 innings, he struck out 12 batters but walked 13, struggling with command.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kopech spent three separate stints on the injured list<\/a>, dealing with right shoulder impingement and right knee inflammation, which eventually ended the right-hander\u2019s season in September. During the season, Kopech required surgery to repair a torn meniscus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A former first-round selection in 2014 by the Boston Red Sox, Kopech was a part of the return to the Chicago White Sox for Chris Sale<\/a> in 2016. Moved again to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2024 trade deadline<\/a>, Kopech has carved out a role as a reliever after spending the first four years of the 29-year-old\u2019s career as a starter.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2024, after being acquired from the White Sox, Kopech pitched to a 4-0 record, 1.13 ERA, and 0.792 WHIP over 24 innings. He struck out 29 batters in those 24 appearances, holding opposing hitters to a .118 average. Kopech also made 10 appearances during the 2024 playoffs en route to a title, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training could bring in a quality arm able to succeed in big situations and highly motivated to bounce back after an injury-riddled 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Morning podcast: Michael Kopech is back, this time as a free agent. Some great World Series and post-World Series stories, along with a look at the pitcher’s current lot in life.
\nListen: https:\/\/t.co\/G20vsVM729<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/fo8zeG5q5j<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Baseball Isn\u2019t Boring (@BBisntBoring) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n