The Toronto Blue Jays will be relying on All-Star Jeff Hoffman this season despite the veteran closer’s devastating performance in Game 7 of the World Series.
Hoffman had a chance to close out the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7, but allowed a game-tying home run instead. The Blue Jays bolstered their roster this offseason after falling short to the Dodgers in the World Series, signing top free agents like Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto, but didn’t sign another reliever to take Hoffman’s place after his struggles last season.
With Toronto’s World Series aspirations higher than ever, ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes that the team’s performance this season will hinge on Hoffman returning to form and pitching like he did for most of the postseason.
“As Toronto fans well know, the Blue Jays were two outs from beating the Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series last year when Miguel Rojas took Hoffman deep to tie the game,” Passan wrote Friday. “They return most of their deep well of professional hitters, added Dylan Cease to a strong rotation and continue to play tremendously clean defense.
“The bullpen, then, is Toronto’s potential Achilles’ heel — even with the addition of Tyler Rogers — and Hoffman playing security blanket instead of fire starter in the ninth inning is the sort of stabilizer needed in an AL East built to expose every little weakness that exists.”
Hoffman is only a year removed from being named an All-Star for the first time in his career, but posted a surprising 4.37 ERA, his worst ERA since 2021, in 71 appearances during his first season with the Blue Jays. The 33-year-old has two years remaining on his three-year, $33 million contract with Toronto.
Despite an offseason loaded with talented relievers, the Blue Jays placed their trust in Hoffman. A resurgent season by the veteran hurler could make or break the team’s playoff hopes and will be an important storyline to follow this season.
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