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Jeff Hoffman 2025 Player Outlook: Has 20+ Save Upside With New Club
8 mins agoEarlier this offseason, relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman inked a three-year $33 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Hoffman reportedly had other agreements in place but could not pass other club's physicals. However, in Toronto, Hoffman is expected to be the team's top option in the ninth inning. Last season in Philadelphia, Hoffman posted a career-best 2.17 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP across 66 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander struck out batters at an impressive 33.6% rate and generated whiffs at a 35.6% rate. He also generated a 2.87 xERA and a .202 xBA, which were both within the 90th percentile among qualified pitchers last season. However, Hoffman did generate a poor 37.6% ground ball rate. Hoffman tallied just ten saves and 21 holds last season as he typically saw most of his appearances during the eighth inning. However, fantasy managers should expect that to change in Toronto, given the hefty contract he received. In addition, former Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano signed with the Phillies, leaving Hoffman and Yimi Garcia as the top option for saves, with Hoffman likely getting the larger share. With his elite strikeout upside, Hoffman has a viable path to tallying 20+ saves, operating as the sure-fire ninth-inning option for the Blue Jays.
