Toronto Blue Jays sign All-Star relief pitcher in free agency
The Toronto Blue Jays may not have had the start to free agency they were hoping for, but they were able to land a big piece this evening.
Earlier in the day, MLB insider Jon Morosi reported that the Blue Jays had been having positive talks with relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman on a multiyear deal. He turned out to be bang on, as it was announced tonight that they have signed the 32-year-old to a three-year, $33 million deal.
News: The #BlueJays have signed Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million deal, they announce.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) January 11, 2025
Blue Jays fans are familiar with Hoffman, who was once viewed as one of the organization’s top prospects. He never pitched a game with the Jays, however, as he was part of the package sent to the Colorado Rockies in the blockbuster deal that landed Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins.
It took Hoffman quite some time to carve out a role in the MLB, with many deeming him a draft bust for years. He’s since been able to establish himself as a very solid relief pitcher, however, and is coming off of the first All-Star Game appearance of his career.
Hoffman put up a stellar 2.17 ERA through 66.1 innings with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, marking the second straight year in which he’s had an ERA below three. He also racked up 10 saves while striking out 89. He was considered one of the better relief options on the market heading into the offseason.
While this signing is a positive one for the Blue Jays, it may not be enough of a difference-maker to get this team back on track. They struggled immensely in 2024 and are projected to be in a similar spot in 2025 based on a recent projection from Fangraphs.
That said, the Blue Jays may not be done just yet. They continue to be linked to players such as Anthony Santander, Pete Alonso, and starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, all of whom remain up for grabs on the free-agent market.