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Report: Blue Jays seeking relievers with closing experience

John Rieger / USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have been busy adding to the starting rotation early this fall, and now their focus appears to be shifting to the bullpen.

Toronto is ramping up its search for relievers with closing experience, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

One name on the Blue Jays' list is right-hander Ryan Madson, who revitalized his career pitching out of the bullpen for the Kansas City Royals last season. Once an effective closer for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011, the 35-year-old hurler recorded a 2.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 58 strikeouts across 63 1/3 innings for the World Series champions.

Signing Madson to a potential deal wouldn't break the bank, but there are other free agents Toronto could pursue that also fit the profile. Jonathan Broxton, Joakim Soria, Edward Mujica, and Chad Qualls are also affordable options that could potentially close games.

Several high-profile closers are also rumored to be on the trade block, including Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, and Mark Melancon.

Related: Anonymous GM: 'Everyone's closer available' for trade

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and interim general manager Tony LaCava have added three pitchers to the staff to this point, signing southpaw J.A. Happ and right-hander Marco Estrada to multi-year deals, and acquiring righty Jesse Chavez from the Oakland Athletics.

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