Phillies May Regret Letting All-Star Reliever Jeff Hoffman Walk in Free Agency
The Philadelphia Phillies may come to regret not making a stronger effort to retain All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman this offseason. The team anticipated potential changes to their bullpen, with both Hoffman and fellow reliever Carlos Estevez entering free agency and seeking multi-year contracts.
To prepare for possible departures, the Phillies moved quickly to sign Jordan Romano, who was non-tendered by the Toronto Blue Jays after an injury-plagued season. They hope he can regain the dominant form he displayed from 2021 to 2023. Ironically, that signing paved the way for the Blue Jays to acquire one of Philadelphia’s top bullpen arms in a free-agent swap.
Reports indicate that Hoffman has agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with Toronto, which includes incentives that could push his earnings to $39 million. This deal represents the largest contract for a reliever so far this offseason. The relief market has been slow to develop, with only a few other multi-year deals, including Yimi Garcia re-signing with the Blue Jays and Blake Treinen returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, there were some concerns about Hoffman’s health. According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Baltimore Orioles initially had a three-year, $40 million deal in place for Hoffman, but it fell through due to concerns over his right shoulder. That could explain why the Phillies hesitated to re-sign him, as his new contract ranks him among the highest-paid relievers in terms of annual average value.
Still, finding reliable bullpen arms is challenging, especially with the way manager Rob Thomson utilizes his relievers. Hoffman excelled in various roles, making his departure a tough loss for Philadelphia.
In 2024, Hoffman earned his first All-Star selection, making 68 appearances and posting a stellar 2.17 ERA over 66.1 innings. He thrived in high-pressure situations, recording 10 saves and striking out 89 batters. Since joining the Phillies in 2023, he has been one of the most dependable relievers in baseball, compiling a 2.28 ERA over 118.2 innings with 158 strikeouts and an impressive ERA+ of 184.
For the Blue Jays, adding Hoffman strengthens their bullpen as they push for a deep playoff run in what could be the final season with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette under contract. Meanwhile, the Phillies might regret not finding a way to keep one of their most consistent bullpen arms.
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