Finally! Someone took the Toronto Blue Jays money and will play for their baseball team in 2025. Former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman has signed a three year deal with the Blue Jays and for $33 million. The deal can escalate and reach up to $39 million. That’s a really good signing for the Blue Jays and for many reasons. Also, he was one of the top relief pitchers on the open market, so another victory for the Blue Jays.

Hoffman Has A Role

Hoffman got the Clay Holmes deal, which is what he was seeking. He certainly deserves it the way he was pitching last season for the Phillies. The elements he brings to the team will be huge. There are a multitude of reasons as to why the Blue Jays struggled mightily in 2024. They had a slow start and the bats were not delivering like normal. But also the pitching was not nearly as sufficient.

Sticking with relief pitching, the Blue Jays had the 29th ranked ERA among relievers. That’s brutal. They sat 23rd in saves, and you have to be in winning position to be able to close out games and the Jays weren’t. Throughout the year, their best closing option was Chad Green, which that’s not great but not bad, as he ranked 24th in saves among qualified relievers. General Manager Ross Atkins came out and said that Hoffman would have an opportunity to close out games for the Blue Jays.

Hoffman closing out games would fit like a glove. Hoffman finished with a 2.17 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. What he excelled at the most what his strikeouts and generating the swing and miss. He had a strikeout percentage of 33.6% (13th among qualified relievers) and his 12.08 K/9 was 14th. He has impeccable command and was lights out in the back of the bullpen.

The Blue Jays needed a player that could excel in high leverage situations and Hoffman is that type of player. Hoffman was also garnering interest to be in line for a starter role. That’s not uncommon, as relievers have made that type of jump. Seth Lugo made it last season for the Royals and Clay Holmes is slated to be a starter for the Mets in 2025.

The Blue Jays Outlook

The Blue Jays secured the prize, but they were not alone. Division rival Baltimore Orioles were very much in play, but were skeptical about his pending physicals. If there is a red flag in the physicals, it can make teams jump back. The San Francisco Giants did this exact thing with Carlos Correa. The shoulder issues did not scare the Blue Jays away and he makes the Blue Jays that much better.

The overall outlook of the Blue Jays is good, but with questions. They have reliable bats in Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bichette, but their pending free agency will be a storyline all season long. George Springer had a strong second half to the season and if he can perform like that from the start, the team is in good shape. They certainly need more bats especially in the outfield, but the bullpen is in better shape.

Hoffman is the prized signing of the offseason for the Blue Jays. Alongside him comes Yimi Garcia and acquired Nick Sandlin from the Guardians. It definitely gives them options in the back of the bullpen and Chad Green is still in the fold.

This is a very crucial year for the Blue Jays. This is a good move that does improve the overall outlook of the club, but a lot can change if the season starts off slow.