Heading into the offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies faced some difficult decisions.
First, the front office and ownership had to determine how much more they were willing to invest after years of aggressive spending. With a payroll already packed with stars, the direction became clear through their strategic, low-cost additions.
This clarity extended to another key decision.
With both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez entering free agency, the Phillies recognized they couldn’t retain both due to the hefty contracts the two relievers were projected to command.
While Hoffman and Estevez remain unsigned, Philadelphia bolstered its starting rotation by trading for Jesús Luzardo and adding swingman Joe Ross. These moves strongly indicated that neither Hoffman nor Estevez would return, a conclusion supported by Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
“The Phillies could have reunited with Hoffman in a hybrid role — as a starter for the first few months, then back to the bullpen whenever Painter arrives. They chose Luzardo instead. It’s unclear whether they ever discussed that scenario with Hoffman; the Phillies have believed Hoffman’s best spot is as a late-inning reliever,” Gelb reported.
Earlier in the offseason, it was rumored that Hoffman was seeking a return to a starting role, which could secure him a more lucrative contract.
A precedent was set by Clay Holmes, the former Yankees closer, who persuaded the New York Mets to let him transition into a starting pitcher for the 2025 season, earning a three-year, $38 million deal.
Hoffman is reportedly targeting a similar contract.
As Gelb noted, the Phillies could have accommodated Hoffman’s desire to start temporarily before shifting him back to the bullpen later in the season. However, such a compromise likely wouldn’t align with Hoffman’s goals.
If the Phillies were to re-sign him, it would have been strictly as a reliever. Instead, Dave Dombrowski prioritized improving the rotation and opted for Luzardo, a pitcher with proven starting experience.
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