Two former Blue Jays listed among today's best relievers

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Dan McPeake
January 10, 2025 (11:16)

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MLB Network released its list of top 10 relievers in the game today and it includes a couple of former Blue Jays.

For the second year in a row, Devin Williams is number one on the list. He is followed by Cade Smith and Ryan Helsley, with Emmanuel Clase and Mason Miller rounding out the Top 5. This gives the Cleveland Guardians two of the best relievers in baseball.

Former Blue Jays Kirby Yates and Jeff Hoffman also found themselves on the list. Yates placed 8th, while Hoffman sits in 9th place.

Hoffman, who is currently a free agent, was a first round pick by the Blue Jays back in 2015. Initially a starter, he was sent to Colorado in the blockbuster trade that saw Troy Tulowitzki and LaTory Hawkins come to Toronto.

After making his major league debut and spending the first few years in the rotation, Hoffman has found consistency as a back end reliever, culminating in his first All-Star appearance while a member of the Philadelphia Phillies last year.

The Blue Jays signed Kirby Yates to a one-year $5.5MM contract prior to the 2021 season. However, Yates never ended up throwing a pitch for the team, as he was diagnosed with a hip flexor strain towards the end of Spring Training and ultimately underwent Tommy John Surgery, missing the entire season. He then signed a contract with Atlanta.

Like Hoffman, Yates was also an All-Star last season; it was his 2nd appearance, following his first selection in 2019 in which he was also the NL Saves leader.

Yates is also currently a free agent.

SOURCE - MLB - The Best at Each Position

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