Jeff Hoffman is returning to the workforce that drafted him. Hoffman has rejoined the Toronto Blue Jays on a three-year contract price $33 million, the workforce introduced Friday night time. The contract embrace incentives tied to video games completed. There had been rumblings Hoffman would search for alternatives to begin subsequent season, although he’ll stay within the bullpen with Toronto, the workforce confirmed.
“We’re excited so as to add Jeff to our bullpen. His arsenal, strike throwing, and skill to overlook bats in opposition to all sorts of hitters is elite and can undoubtedly make us higher,” GM Ross Atkins stated in a press release. “Jeff will get a chance to shut video games for us this season. His monitor file, competitiveness, and expertise make him a fantastic complement to this group. We sit up for welcoming him, his spouse Marissa, and their kids Tytan, Houstyn, Jetsyn, and Lennyn to Toronto.”
For the 2024 marketing campaign, Hoffman labored 66 ⅓ innings with an ERA of two.17 (188 ERA+) and an FIP of two.52 for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hoffman additionally struck out 33.6% of opposing batters, and he earned his first profession All-Star choice. In 2023, additionally with the Phillies, he churned out comparable ranges of dominance. He spent the earliest years of his profession as a failed starter with the Rockies. Nonetheless, a swap to the bullpen — particularly after he joined the Phillies — unlocked Hoffman’s potential.
Earlier within the offseason, CBS Sports activities ranked Hoffman because the No. 24 accessible free agent within the present class. Here is a part of our write-up:
Hoffman spent two seasons with the Phillies, throughout which he morphed into an elite reliever. The harm: a 184 ERA+ and a 4.51 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 122 appearances. He throws 4 pitches however he actually leans on two particularly: his swing-and-miss slider (the one pitch in his arsenal that goes glove facet) and his mid-to-upper-90s heater. (He’ll additionally chuck a splitter and a sinker.) Hoffman generates an elite quantity of whiffs and chases, and he has significantly improved his management since his starter days. The one factor separating him from a 30-save season is alternative. It is coming.
Earlier than touchdown with the Blue Jays, Hoffman reached a three-year contract settlement with the AL East rival Baltimore Orioles, in line with FanSided. That deal, which was price $40 million, was not accomplished after the O’s flagged one thing in Hoffman’s proper shoulder throughout his bodily. At that time his representatives pivoted to Toronto.
The Blue Jays chosen Hoffman with the No. 9 decide within the 2014 draft. He had Tommy John surgical procedure at East Carolina within the weeks main as much as the draft, although Toronto cherished his potential, and chosen him with their first-round decide anyway. The Blue Jays traded Hoffman to the Colorado Rockies within the Troy Tulowitzki deal on the 2015 commerce deadline.
Hoffman will be a part of Chad Inexperienced and the lately signed Yimi García in the back of Toronto’s bullpen. Hoffman, García and Andrés Giménez are essentially the most notable additions the Jays have made this winter. They pursued each Corbin Burnes and Juan Soto, however did not land both.
Hoffman, who turns 32 in January, will enter the 2025 season with 12 profession saves.
