The Philadelphia Phillies have been active this offseason trying to improve the roster after a disappointing end to the 2024 season. The most notable moves to this point were signing right-hander Jordan Romano to a one-year deal to shore up the back end of the bullpen, veteran swingman Joe Ross to a one-year contract, trading for left-handed starter Jesús Luzardo and bringing in outfielder Max Kepler on a one-year deal to play left field.
The Phillies’ biggest needs heading into 2025 were outfield depth, a fifth starter and bullpen arms. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and company believe they filled those holes with their recent additions.
Perhaps the Phillies’ most notable free agent is Jeff Hoffman. The 31-year-old had his career resurrected in Philadelphia since joining the club in 2023. He posted a 2.28 ERA across his two seasons with the Phillies and became one of the top late-inning relievers in Major League Baseball, earning the first All-Star selection of his career in 2024.
It sure sounds like MLB insider is just making things up about Jeff Hoffman, Phillies
The Phillies signing Hoffman to a new contract is and has been unlikely. The organization needed to find ways to improve different areas of the roster without breaking the bank and committing too much money to one player.
With how well Hoffman played over the last two years, particularly in 2024, the right-hander pitched his way out of the Phillies’ price range. Other teams have been interested in switching Hoffman to a starting pitcher, something that he did early in his career. If he ends up making the switch, the Phillies’ will definitely be out of the picture for a reunion.
MLB insider Jon Heyman discussed Hoffman’s future on a video segment with Bleacher Report. Heyman said that he doesn’t think Hoffman was a fan of the Phillies’ trade deadline acquisition of late-inning reliever Carlos Estévez, taking innings and opportunities away from him. That theory seems to have little truth behind it.
"I see people predicting Hoffman back to Philly and maybe they'll figure it out," Heyman said. "But I don't think Hoffman loved the fact that they brought in Estévez and kind of gave him a little bit bigger role. I could be wrong, maybe they've smoothed that over."
Hoffman may not have been thrilled with the addition of Estévez in 2024, but that’s understandable when a team brings in a player of the same position. However, Hoffman has said nothing but great things about his time playing in the City of Brotherly Love.
Although Hoffman remains unsigned and his heart seems to be in Philadelphia, a deal is unlikely. The Phillies are already over the fourth luxury tax threshold, and Hoffman won’t come cheap. The notion that he was unhappy with the organization in any way is nonsense and has nothing to do with him not returning to the Phillies.