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Blue Jays closer Louis Varland wins inaugural AL Reliever of the Year award
Varland earned 16 of 30 first-place votes after posting a 1.27 ERA, 35 saves and 97 strikeouts in 78 innings.
- 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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24 Articles
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 Sources24
Leaning Left8Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 44%
C 50%
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