The Toronto Blue Jays decided to improve their bullpen by signing free agent pitcher Jeff Hoffman but it looks like they might have other plans in mind for him.
The Blue Jays looking to possibly use Jeff Hoffman as a starting pitcher
The Blue Jays are still in need of a starting pitcher to improve their rotation and it looks like if they cannot close on one they might look at Hoffman to step up at some point this season.
According to reports, the Blue Jays could look at putting Hoffman in the starting rotation at some point this season, a position he has not played since his early days in the MLB.
All that said, I can't help but wonder if the two parties haven't ruled out that Hoffman could take a shot at starting again at some point throughout his three-year contract.
The 32-year-old will make $11 million per season over the life of his new deal, but it also includes a $500,000 bonus for each milestone he hits between 60, 70, 80, and 90 innings. -Henderson
If Hoffman does end up taking on a starting role at some point, he could benefit financially as he would like surpass the plateau of 60,70 and 80 innings pitched which would bring him back $500,000 each time.
While Hoffman has shown that he is one of the best relievers in the MLB over the last few years, moving him to starting pitcher will be interesting since he has not done that since he was with the Colorado Rockies.
The hard-throwing right-hander's career has taken an interesting path since he debuted in 2016.
He began as a starter for the Rockies and struggled to stay healthy or find much success, but that all changed when he shifted to the bullpen. -Henderson
The only issue with possibly having Hoffman as a starting pitcher is that he does seem to have some trouble with his pitching shoulder and having him pitch multiple innings might hurt it even more.
It will be interesting to see how Ross Atkins ends up using Hoffman over the next three years.