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Report: Jeff Hoffman and the Blue Jays have had productive dialogue on a potential multi-year deal
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Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jan 10, 2025, 17:15 ESTUpdated: Jan 10, 2025, 19:40 EST
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It appears that the Toronto Blue Jays may have an interest in the high-end reliever market.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Blue Jays “have had productive dialogue in recent days on a potential multi-year deal” with Jeff Hoffman.
While the Blue Jays have been connected to signing almost everyone available in free agency, something about this Tweet is different from the others. This reads more like an actual report, rather than speculation. Of course, it’s to be seen if it leads anywhere because most teams should have an interest in Hoffman.
Last season in relief for the Philadelphia Phillies, Hoffman posted a 2.17 ERA and a 2.52 FIP in 66.1 innings pitched, along with a 33.6 K% and a 6 BB%. This proved to be his second consecutive season with great results since joining the Phillies, as he had a 2.41 ERA and a 2.57 FIP in 52.1 innings pitched in 2023.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniels back in early November, Hoffman has generated interest as a starter for a few teams, as the rotation is where he started his career. Moreover, Hoffman has a decent starter’s pitch mix.
If the Blue Jays do manage to pull off signing Hoffman, it’d be a reunion of sorts. While he never pitched for the Jays in the big leagues, the team selected him ninth overall in the 2014 draft before trading him in a package to the Colorado Rockies for Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins.
Hoffman didn’t find a lot of success as a starter in the big leagues, albeit he pitched at Coors Field while with the Rockies. Since departing the team, he’s only started 12 games in two seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Phillies.
The 32-year-old wasn’t given a qualifying offer, meaning that the team that signs him won’t lose a draft pick. That could be ideal for the Jays as another pitcher they’ve been interested in – Nick Pivetta – does have a pick attached to his signing.
All in all, it’d be nice to see a reunion with Hoffman, as he’s one of the best pitchers remaining on the market. Even if he doesn’t work out as a starter, you then have an elite high-leverage reliever out of the bullpen.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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