Jeff

Hoffman

Rogers provides Toronto with an elite setup specialist to help bridge the gap to closer Jeff Hoffman. The 34-year-old submariner is coming off the strongest campaign of his career where he recorded a microscopic 1.98 ERA — 2.88 FIP — and 16.1 percent strikeout rate across 77 1/3 innings over a league-high 81 appearances between the Giants and Mets. He’s been one of the most durable workhorse relievers in baseball, making a staggering 374 appearances over the past half-decade. The deal includes a $12 million vesting option for 2029 that converts after 110 appearances from 2027-2028 or 60 appearances in 2028.

The three biggest relievers are now off the board, with Suarez joining a Braves team that already re-signed Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal says the plan is for Suarez to set up for Iglesias next season. That Suarez picked the Braves probably means that it’s now safe to look at Devin Williams as a top-10 RP, since there’s no one else the Mets could sign to rival him. The Jays were also thought to be in the mix for Suarez, so this makes Jeff Hoffman a little safer, too. Suarez, who turns 35 in March, led the NL with 40 saves while posting a 2.97 ERA for the Padres last season. He also had 36 saves and a 2,77 ERA in 2024.

When asked about is confidence in Hoffman in the ninth inning — following him blowing a save in Game 7 of the World Series by serving up a game-tying solo homer to light-hitting infielder Miguel Rojas — Atkins noted that Hoffman “would be open to anything that makes us better.” He also added that Hoffman doesn’t care what role he’s used in, saying, “The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to that.” Hoffman converted 33 saves in 40 opportunities for the Jays during the regular season, picking up nine wins and seven losses along the way. It sounds like they could be in the market for an upgrade in the ninth inning if the right opportunity presents itself over the winter.

Hoffman was called upon with the bases empty and two outs in the eighth inning and he got Tommy Edman to ground out harmlessly to second base. He then returned for the ninth with a chance to close out Toronto’s first championship in over three decades. He got Enrique Hernandez on a swinging third strike before serving up a game-tying solo home run on a full-count offering to Miguel Rojas. He then rallied to retire Shohei Ohtani on a fly ball and Will Smith on strikes to end the inning. Hoffman finishes the postseason with a stellar 1.46 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and an 18/4 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings in 10 appearances.

Hoffman was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the final frame after throwing a season-high 35 pitches less than 24 hours earlier in a win-or-go-home Game 6 victory. The 32-year-old stopper struck out Leo Rivas and pinch-hitter Dominic Canzone to open the frame before getting Julio Rodríguez to chase a slider outside of the zone to preserve the victory.

Perhaps the one little victory the Mariners had tonight is that all of their best hitters got another look at Hoffman ahead of Game 7. Of course, there’s the chance the Jays could bypass Hoffman in a close Game 7, as they will have Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer available out of the pen. Hoffman has now allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings in the postseason. He’s thrown four scoreless innings versus the Mariners.

Hoffman gave up an RBI double to Aaron Judge in the ninth, but it came with the Blue Jays leading 5-1 so no real harm. The 32-year-old has his first postseason save, and he’ll have a chance to add to that total beginning Sunday when Toronto hosts the Mariners or Tigers to begin the ALCS on Sunday.

Hoffman didn’t make things easy on himself in the ninth inning of this one, issuing a leadoff walk to Josh Lowe and a one-out walk to Hunter Feduccia to put the tying runs on base. He battled back though to get Chandler Simpson to bounce into a fielder’s choice and then retired Yandy Diaz on a ground out to third to put the game away. He has now amassed 33 saves and nine victories on the season.

Hoffman’s save was his 32nd of the year. There were certainly some rough patches along the way as his 4.50 ERA on the year indicates, but the 32-year-old who signed with Toronto last offseason has paid off his draft price with his performance in the other categories. Hoffman has nine wins, a 1.17 WHIP and 83 strikeouts to go along with his 32 saves.

Hoffman was called upon to put out the fire with a man at third base and one out in the ninth inning and the Blue Jays clinging to a two-run advantage. Hoffman did allow an RBI single to Brandon Lowe and issued a walk to Junior Caminero, but he battled back to strike out Josh Lowe and Jake Mangum to end the ballgame. Hoffman now holds a 4.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and an 83/23 K/BB ratio over 64 innings while converting 31 saves and recording nine victories.