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Blue Jays Closer Louis Varland Named AL Reliever of the Year
- On Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, the Baseball Writers' Association of America named Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland the inaugural American League Reliever of the Year, his first major individual honor.
- After taking over the closer role in April, Varland recorded 35 saves and a 1.27 ERA while setting career highs with 78 innings pitched and 97 strikeouts over 71 games.
- In the tight inaugural voting, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Cade Smith received seven first-place votes and finished second, while Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Bryan Baker placed third, with Varland's 3.1 fWAR ranking second among all relievers.
- "It's a pretty special moment," Varland said while attending the MLB awards in Las Vegas, attributing his success to an optimistic mindset and aggressive approach on the mound.
- The Baseball Writers' Association of America introduced the reliever category this year as the first new award since 1983, reflecting baseball's evolving emphasis on high-leverage bullpen usage.
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37 Articles
37 Articles
BBWAA AL Reliever of the Year Voting
Total points on a 7-4-3-2-1 basis
·Cherokee County, United States
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Louis Varland Wins AL Reliever of the Year Award for Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays stud closer Louis Varland took home the inaugural American League Reliever of the Year Award.Although the Blue Jays did not win the American League Cy Young Award, as Dylan Cease came in second place to Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees, they did take home the AL Reliever of the Year […]
·Las Vegas, United States
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Blue Jays closer Louis Varland named AL Reliever of the Year
During the All-Star Game in Philadelphia this past summer, Louis Varland and Cade Smith met in the American League clubhouse and talked, closer to closer. The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander described himself as “a big fan” of his Cleveland Guardians counterpart, calling the Canadian “just a true competitor” who “looks like a bulldog out there.” […]
·Toronto, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources37
Leaning Left10Leaning Right3Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Center
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
48% Center
L 40%
C 48%
12%
Factuality
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