The Toronto Blue Jays appear likely to run back Jeff Hoffman as the team’s closer.
Toronto lost in Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a game that Hoffman gave up the game-tying home run in the top of the ninth inning. Hoffman had a home run problem and blew plenty of saves.
Yet, despite general manager Ross Atkins hinting at the team finding a new closer, Blue Jays analyst Mitch Bannon of The Athletic predicts Hoffman will remain the closer in 2026.
“There are a few ways to look at Jeff Hoffman’s homer-plagued debut as the Blue Jays’ closer,” Bannon wrote. “He allowed more dingers than any American League reliever last year (15), including a crushing one in Game 7 of the World Series. He also posted a higher home run per fly ball rate (20 percent) than any other qualified pitcher. That’s a rate that usually regresses to the league average, which sat at nine percent last year.
“For now, Hoffman appears set for another crack at Toronto’s closing job. His ability to suppress the long ball will dictate how that second opportunity goes.”
Toronto signed Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million deal last offseason to be the team’s closer. In his first year with the Blue Jays, Hoffman went 9-7 with a 4.37 ERA and was 33-of-40 in save opportunities.
Blue Jays GM Hints at Replacing Hoffman
Entering the offseason, Toronto had a major question mark at the backend of the closer.
Before the offseason really began, Atkins spoke to the media and said Hoffman isn’t cemented as the team’s closer.
“The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to that,” Atkins said on Nov. 6. “Talking about the cohesion and team approach (of the Jays), he epitomizes that. I think he would be open to anything that makes us better.”
Toronto was linked to the top closers available, like Edwin Diaz and Roger Suarez. But the Blue Jays didn’t land any, leaving Hoffman to be the closer going forward.
However, if Hoffman struggles, the Blue Jays could use the likes of Louis Varland and Tyler Rogers as closing options.
Toronto Adds Rogers to be a High-Leverage Reliever
The Blue Jays’ big move to the bullpen was signing right-hander Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million deal with a club option for 2029.
Rogers will be a high-leverage reliever who was ecstatic to sign with Toronto.
“When the American League champs give you a phone call, you kind of perk up and get excited about that,” Rogers said on his media call. “This is a team that was really close to winning the World Series. That right there is a great start. The Blue Jays have a great reputation throughout the industry, even before they made this World Series run. They have a great reputation for how they treat their players, their facilities and even more so how they treat families.”
Rogers said he was excited to be recruited this heavily by the Blue Jays and knows he fits in well with the team.
The right-hander went 4-6 with a 1.98 ERA in 81 games last season.
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