The Philadelphia Phillies’ biggest free agent heading into the offseason was All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman. The Phillies signed Hoffman to a minor league deal in 2023 in hopes of resurrecting the former first-round pick’s career. It worked.
Hoffman posted a 2.41 ERA, the best of his career, with 11 holds and one save in his first season with the Phillies. The right-hander struck out 69 batters in 52 1/3 innings and held opponents to a .158 batting average against him.
Hoffman was even better in 2024, earning the first All-Star selection of his nine-year career. He owned a career-best 2.17 ERA with 21 holds, 10 saves and 89 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. He played his way right out of a new contract with the Phillies, and it didn’t help that the organization signed former Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano to a $8.5 million deal.
Orioles and Braves both backed out of deals with former Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman
Despite mutual interest in a reunion, Hoffman was never likely to remain with the Phillies. Hoffman signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays on Jan. 10.
Although he had tremendous success in his two years with the Phillies, the organization made the right call by letting Hoffman walk. He reportedly failed a physical with the Atlanta Braves, nixing a potential deal, per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. Hoffman also reportedly failed a physical with the Baltimore Orioles before landing with the Blue Jays.
"Another source said the Braves’ deal with Hoffman would have been a five-year deal worth $45-48 million," according to Bowman. "The right-hander could have been given a chance to start before spending his final years of the deal as a reliever.
There were rumors early in the offseason that teams were interested in Hoffman transitioning to a starting pitcher, a role in which he began his career. The Phillies were never going to bring him back on a new deal if that were something he wanted to do.
Hoffman is 32 years old. He found his stride with the Phillies, but he has also had a lot more downs than ups throughout his career. Signing an aging reliever to a multi-year deal is risky, especially at $11 million per year.
The Phillies would’ve loved to bring Hoffman back, but it was in the best interest of the team to let him walk. The two reported failed physicals preventing potential deals and skepticism around his health supports the organization’s decision.