The Blue Jays signed All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman Friday to a three-year, $33 million contract.
Hoffman, a 32-year-old right-hander, had a career year in 2024 with the Philadelphia Phillies, going 3-3 with a 2.17 ERA in 68 appearances, logging 10 saves.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network was first to report Friday that the two sides were talking.
“We are excited to add Jeff to our bullpen,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement relayed by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “His arsenal, strike throwing, and ability to miss bats against all types of hitters is elite and will undoubtedly make us better. Jeff will get an opportunity to close games for us…”
Ross Atkins on the #BlueJays signing Jeff Hoffman:
“We are excited to add Jeff to our bullpen. His arsenal, strike throwing, and ability to miss bats against all types of hitters is elite and will undoubtedly make us better. Jeff will get an opportunity to close games for us…”
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) January 11, 2025
Atkins also noted in his statement that Hoffman will have an opportunity to close for the Blue Jays, a role he occupied at times in 2024 in Philadelphia. Coincidentally, the Phillies signed former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano after Toronto non-tendered him.
The Jays ultimately decided to take a chance on Hoffman, who struggled as a starter early in his career in Colorado, before resurfacing as a valuable bullpen piece for the Cincinnati Reds in 2022.
Over the last three seasons, Hoffman has gone 10-5 with a 2.70 ERA in 157 innings for the Reds and Phillies, striking out 203 batters while walking only 58 in 163.1 innings.
As noted by multiple reporters, including FanSided’s Robert Murray, Hoffman’s new contract includes performance incentives that can increase the total outlay to $39 million.
More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
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