Varland, Smith, Baker Named Reliever of Year Finalists
MLB announced three American League relievers as finalists for its annual reliever honor, with Toronto's Louis Varland among them.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball
MLB named Louis Varland, Cade Smith and Bryan Baker as finalists for the American League Reliever of the Year Award on Monday. Varland, a Toronto Blue Jays closer acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 trade deadline, went 5-6 with a 1.27 ERA and 35 saves.
Why it matters
The finalist list recognizes relievers from three different American League clubs and highlights how Toronto's bullpen performed after its late-season deadline addition. The announcement also comes alongside Dylan Cease's finalist status for the American League Cy Young Award.
Varland finished with a 1.27 ERA in 71 appearances, recording 35 saves, 97 strikeouts and 3.6 bWAR across 78 innings for Toronto. The extraction does not provide comparable season statistics for Cade Smith or Bryan Baker.
The players
Louis Varland
Toronto Blue Jays closer who was acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 trade deadline and recorded 35 saves in 2026.
Major League Baseball
The professional baseball league that announces the American League Reliever of the Year finalists through its official award channels.
The details
Varland took over the closer role for Toronto during the season and pitched all of his games out of the bullpen. Cade Smith pitches for the Cleveland Guardians, and Bryan Baker pitches for the Tampa Bay Rays after previously pitching for the Blue Jays.
Timeline
The 2025 trade deadline: Varland was acquired by the Blue Jays from the Twins.
The 2026 season: Varland's first full season as Toronto's closer.
Monday, November 2, 2026: MLB announced the Reliever of the Year finalists.
Season Trajectory
The Reliever of the Year Award is one of MLB's annual end-of-season honors that recognizes the bullpen's contribution to team success. Varland's finalist status reflects Toronto's late-season bullpen reinforcement, and his selection alongside relievers from Cleveland and Tampa Bay underscores the competitive balance across American League bullpens.
The winner of the American League Reliever of the Year Award has not yet been named, so the finalist slate remains open. Fantasy managers tracking closers should note that Varland's 35 saves and 97 strikeouts are the stats that put him on the finalist list.
The takeaway
Strong bullpen performances like Varland's 1.27 ERA can be decisive in award voting, so following closer roles and save totals gives a fuller picture of the season's best relief work. Watch for the official winner announcement to see how the finalists compare.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage across the United States for context on the season's major awards.
