The Philadelphia Phillies officially parted ways with reliever, as he signed a multi-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Hoffman earned his deal after emerging as one of baseball’s top relievers during his two seasons with the Phillies. This marked a significant turnaround from his earlier, less impressive stints with the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds, where he struggled as a starter.
Pitching in hitter-friendly parks like Coors Field and Great American Ballpark hindered his early career, but Hoffman began to show improvement in 2022 when he transitioned to the bullpen.
What started in Cincinnati reached new heights in Philadelphia during 2023 and 2024. Hoffman was dominant over those two seasons, making 122 appearances and throwing 118.2 innings with a stellar 2.28 ERA. He struck out 158 batters and was among the best relievers in baseball in 2024, earning an All-Star selection.
Despite his success, the Phillies’ decision to let him walk raised eyebrows. Many speculated that financial considerations played a role, as Hoffman’s new contract places him among the top 10 relievers in average annual value (AAV) for 2025. With six relievers already ranked in the top 100 highest-paid players, the Phillies may have been cautious about committing to such a steep price.
However, health concerns might have also factored into their decision. Reports revealed that Hoffman’s deal with the Blue Jays materialized only after he failed a physical with the Baltimore Orioles, who had a three-year, $40 million agreement in place. Additionally, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported that the Atlanta Braves had a potential deal fall apart for the same reason.
It’s possible the Phillies were also wary of Hoffman’s medicals, which could explain their willingness to let him explore free agency. Time will tell whether they made the right call.
To compensate for Hoffman’s departure, the Phillies signed Jordan Romano earlier in the offseason. Romano, non-tendered by the Blue Jays, effectively resulted in the two teams swapping high-leverage relievers through free agency.
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