Toronto Blue Jays eyeing 101MPH flamethrower to replace Jeff Hoffman

Feb 3, 2026 (2:19 PM)

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Louis Varland might be the unlikely savior of the Blue Jays' bullpen, and the buzz around him replacing Jeff Hoffman is getting louder by the day.

We all love the "Hoff," but let's be real—Game 7 of the World Series still haunts our dreams.

Seven blown saves and 15 home runs allowed last year are numbers that don't scream "lockdown closer".

Now, reports suggest the Jays could turn to their internal weapon who actually throws gas.

Varland is the only arm in the current bullpen who can consistently touch triple digits.

His fastball extension ranks in the 92nd percentile, making 100 mph look like 103 to hitters.

This isn't about disrespecting Hoffman; it's about pure, raw stuff.

In the modern game, you need a closer who can simply overpower hitters when the game is on the line.

Varland has been a revelation since moving to the pen, and his tools scream "future elite closer."

The Blue Jays have made it quite clear that they are looking to move Jeff Hoffman out of the closer role and after missing out on a few free agents, they are likely to turn towards Varland.

As a fan, the idea of a homegrown 100 mph arm closing out games is intoxicating.

We've watched rival teams roll out flame-throwing monsters for years while we relied on finesse and "craftiness."

It works until it doesn't.

Varland represents a shift to the "power bullpen" model that wins championships.

He is under team control for five more seasons, meaning we could have our 9th-inning answer for half a decade.

Hoffman is fantastic as a setup man or a firefighter in the 7th, but Varland has the "get out of my way" stuff you need for the final three outs.

If John Schneider has the guts to make this switch, the Blue Jays become a much scarier team to face in October.

The torch needs to be passed.

Let the kid throw heat.

Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider

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FEVRIER 3\|379 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays eyeing 101MPH flamethrower to replace Jeff Hoffman Do you trust Louis Varland more than Jeff Hoffman to close out a World Series game?
Yes	305	80.5 %
No	74	19.5 %
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