Title: Torontonians Celebrate as Blue Jays Ink Deal with Elite Reliever Jeff Hoffman
Title: Torontonians Celebrate as Blue Jays Ink Deal with Elite Reliever Jeff Hoffman
Over the past two offseasons, the Blue Jays were in the mix for big-name free agents like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Corbin Burnes. Unfortunately, none of those superstars donned the blue and white. However, the Jays did manage to land Justin Turner on a one-year deal in 2023, following their early wild-card exit to the Minnesota Twins.
But on Friday, the Blue Jays hit a home run with their latest acquisition - Jeff Hoffman, handing him a three-year, $33 million contract. This deal can be considered a trade of sorts, with Jordan Romano departing for the defending NL East champions, Philadelphia Phillies, on a one-year, buy-low deal.
Hoffman's 2024 campaign was nothing short of stellar, posting a 2.17 ERA in 66.1 innings across a career-high 68 appearances with the Phillies. In the post-season, the Mets found his weaknesses, scoring seven runs against him in 1.3 innings. Yet, his impact on the Phillies' bullpen was significant, and the Blue Jays took notice.
In 2024, Hoffman earned a 2.28 ERA in 122 appearances as a Philadelphia Phillie, an improvement from his rocky stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. His impressive performance saw him become a crucial piece for the Blue Jays, who had a mediocre offense and an unstable bullpen following their 2024 slump.
Hoffman's arrival will surely bolster Toronto's bullpen, currently sitting at a 4.82 ERA, second-worst in the league. Toronto relievers also struggled with high homer rates and offerings to left-handers, areas Hoffman excels in with his 97 mph fastball and an impressive strikeout rate of 33.6% in 2024.
General Manager Ross Atkins lavished praise on the new signing, commenting, "Jeff is elite in his arsenal, strike throwing, and ability to miss bats against all types of hitters." Atkins also hinted at Hoffman closing games for the Blue Jays, as the right-hander will provide a formidable presence at the back end of the Blue Jays' bullpen.
Hoffman's contract makes him the most expensive reliever in Blue Jays history, following a nearly $40 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles that fell through due to shoulder concerns. His health is now a question mark, but the Blue Jays have taken the risk in the hopes of strengthening their bullpen and contending for the playoffs.
As the Blue Jays focus on building a championship team, others in the AL East are outspending them. The Yankees, led by Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Max Fried, and the Red Sox, with Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, are making waves in the market.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays' attention is on securing a new contract for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who will be up for Escrows after the arbitration hearings. The Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. have agreed on $28.5 million for the 2025 season, a significant reduction from the $31.7 million Soto made with the Yankees in 2024.
In the meantime, the Blue Jays can take solace in their new closer, ready to step up and cement the team's back end in the bullpen. Hoffman's arrival represents a significant step in turning the page on their 2024 woes and positioning themselves as a playoff-contending team in 2025.
- The Toronto Blue Jays signed Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million contract, hoping his stellar performance with the Phillies would bolster their struggling bullpen.
- Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays' general manager, praised Hoffman's elite arsenal and strike throwing, indicating his potential to close games for the team.
- Despite the Yankees and Red Sox outspending them in the AL East, the Blue Jays secured a new contract for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., signing him for $28.5 million for the 2025 season.
- In the midst of MLB's free agency, the Blue Jays acquired Jeff Hoffman from the Phillies, aiming to bolster their bullpen and compete in the 2025 season.