The Toronto Blue Jays appear set to run it back with Jeff Hoffman as their closer in 2026.
Toronto signed Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays last offseason. He was Toronto’s closer and had an up-and-down season, as he had a home run problem that proved costly in the top of the ninth in Game 7 of the World Series.
After the World Series, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins hinted at adding a closer to replace Hoffman. Toronto made its first big move to the bullpen on Friday, signing Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million deal, with a 2029 vesting option.
Despite the move, ESPN MLB insider David Schoenfield still believes Hoffman will be the Blue Jays closer in 2026, at least to begin the season.
“It looks like a great signing for the Blue Jays, especially because it fills a hole,” Schoenfield wrote, in a piece published on Dec. 13. “Indeed, when we last saw the Jays in Game 7 of the World Series, manager John Schneider used six relievers, four of whom allowed a run.
“Three of those pitchers were starters, which indicated the lack of trust Schneider had in his regular relievers. Jeff Hoffman is presumably back as the closer after an up-and-down season, but Rogers immediately becomes the top high-leverage setup guy and Plan B if Hoffman struggles again with the long ball.”
Hoffman finished the season going 9-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 71 games, along with being 33-of-40 on save opportunities. Despite the blown saves last season, the Blue Jays seem fine running it back with Hoffman.
Hoffman Took Blame for Blue Jays Losing World Series
Toronto had a one-run lead going into the top of the ninth in Game 7 of the World Series.
Yet, Hoffman gave up a game-tying home run to Miguel Rojas, the Dodgers‘ 8th batter. Los Angeles ended up winning it in extra innings, and after the game, Hoffman put the blame on himself.
“I mean, I cost everybody in here a World Series ring. So feels pretty shitty,” Hoffman said after Game 7. “Gotta execute better in that spot.”
After Hoffman blew another game, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins hinted at potentially removing him as the closer in 2026.
“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.”
Yet, with most of the top relievers off the board, Hoffman will at least begin the 2026 season as the Blue Jays closer.
Toronto Makes Bullpen Additions
The Blue made their first additions to the bullpen on Friday.
Toronto first acquired funky reliever Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers for a minor leaguer. The Blue Jays then signed Rogers to a three-year deal to likely be another high-leverage reliever for Toronto.
Lee finished his rookie season with the Tigers, going 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA in 32 games last season. Rogers, meanwhile, went 4-6 with a 1.98 ERA in 81 games last season. But, he did go 0-for-2 in save opportunities.
The Blue Jays’ backend of the bullpen now features Hoffman, Rogers, Louis Varland, and Yimi Garcia.
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