Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Fri 1/10/25 7:48 PM

Hoffman signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
After bouncing between Colorado, Cincinnati and Philadelphia over his first nine years in the majors, Hoffman will reunite with the organization that originally drafted him back in 2014. The 32-year-old reliever is coming off the best statistical season of his career, as he reached the 10-save mark for the first time and finished the year with a 2.17 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 66.1 innings. Now in Toronto, it's likely he receives a chance to unseat Chad Green as the team's go-to closer.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Thu 11/7/24 2:28 PM

Hoffman is being pursued by some teams in free agency as a starting pitcher, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hoffman, who turns 32 in January, broke out as a full-time reliever the last two seasons with the Phillies, posting a 2.28 ERA and 158:35 K:BB over 118.2 innings. He does have plenty of past experience as a starter and throws four pitches, so some clubs are intrigued by the possibility of giving him another shot to start. It's not clear what Hoffman's preference is -- or if he has one -- but he should be able to land a nice multi-year contract either way.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Wed 10/2/24 4:25 PM

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Hoffman didn't pitch in a simulated game Wednesday due to a stiff neck, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
Thomson said holding Hoffman back was precautionary, adding that he expects the reliever to be "fine" for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. Hoffman will be a high-leverage reliever for the Phillies this postseason following a regular season which saw him collect a 2.17 ERA and 89:16 K:BB over 66.1 innings.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Thu 8/29/24 10:50 PM

Hoffman struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over Atlanta.
EDGE Analysis
Both Hoffman and Carlos Estevez had gone two days without pitching, so it's unclear why Hoffman got the save chance in this outing. This was his fourth scoreless outing in a row, and he's allowed three runs over 9.1 innings across his last 11 appearances since a four-run meltdown at Seattle on Aug. 3. Hoffman hadn't logged a save since July 10, and it's unclear if this signals a changing in the bullpen hierarchy or not, though manager Rob Thomson is known to prefer a committee for closing duties. For the year, Hoffman has a 1.92 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 74:15 K:BB through 56.1 innings while adding 10 saves and 17 holds.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Fri 8/16/24 10:08 PM

Hoffman earned his 17th hold of the season Friday against the Nationals, facing two batters and earning one popout and one strikeout.
EDGE Analysis
The Phillies have had a fluid approach to the ninth inning this season, though Hoffman at one point appeared to be moving into something close to a true closer's role, earning a save in fourth straight appearances from June 30 through July 10. He hasn't earned a save since then, though the Phillies as a team have just two in that time, with one going to Matt Strahm and the other to new acquisition Carlos Estevez. Estevez seems to be the committee leader at the moment, but he blew a save on Friday and has now allowed at least one run in four of his eight appearances for his new team, so there's no guarantee he gets the next chance.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Thu 7/11/24 9:33 AM

Hoffman struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Dodgers.
EDGE Analysis
Jose Alvarado was called upon to face Freddie Freeman and the heart of the Los Angeles order in the eighth inning, leaving the save chance to Hoffman. That's been the norm of late, as Hoffman has saves in four straight appearances since June 30, while Alvarado has only one save and one hold during that time. Hoffman's performance has earned him increased responsibility, as he hasn't walked a batter in over a month and has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB over his last 10.2 innings. Manager Rob Thomson will play matchups in high-leverage spots with the left-handed Alvarado and the right-handed Hoffman, but the latter seems the better bet for saves heading into the All-Star break.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Fri 7/5/24 10:40 PM

Hoffman struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Friday and earned a save over Atlanta.
EDGE Analysis
Hoffman threw nine of 14 pitches for strikes to close out the 8-6 win. He's picked up a save in three straight appearances and has converted six straight chances dating back to May 17. Hoffman now owns a stellar 1.21 ERA with a 47:8 K:BB through 37.1 frames. Jose Alvarado took the mound in the eighth inning of what appeared to be a blowout win but gave up a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Wed 7/3/24 3:29 AM

Hoffman struck out two batters in a scoreless inning to collect the save Tuesday versus the Cubs.
EDGE Analysis
The Phillies saw a 6-1 lead quickly get cut to 6-4 after Seiya Suzuki hit a three-run shot off Jose Ruiz in the ninth inning, so Philadelphia brought in Hoffman to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Jose Alvarado remains the team leader with 12 saves on the year, but Hoffman has also proven to be a reliable option with a 1.24 ERA in 36.1 innings.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Sun 6/30/24 6:49 PM

Hoffman struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save Sunday vs. Miami.
EDGE Analysis
Hoffman allowed a runner to reach on an error but was otherwise solid in picking up his sixth save. Jose Alvarado leads the Phillies with 12 saves this season, but Hoffman has gotten the occasional opportunity. No matter the role, Hoffman has proven to be one of the most reliable bullpen weapons for the Phillies this season, posting a 1.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.

Jeff Hoffman
RP TOR
Fri 5/31/24 11:11 PM

Hoffman earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
EDGE Analysis
Hoffman continues to impress in a late-inning role with the Phillies -- he's allowed just one earned run in his last 19.1 innings. The 31-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 1.09 on the year with a 0.97 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 24.2 innings. Hoffman's up to five saves with seven holds on the campaign.