Toronto Blue Jays Jeff Hoffman makes surprising comments on if he can outperform Jordan Romano
Photo credit: Toronto Star
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman recently spoke of his excitement for the upcoming season as Toronto is looking to use him as their main closer.
The Blue Jays signed Hoffman early on in the off-season to a three year deal worth $33 million which will pay him an average salary of $11 million per season excluding bonuses.
Hoffman said shortly after he signed his three-year, $33 million US deal to return to the team that selected him ninth overall in the 2014 draft. -Longley
Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman speaks on his upcoming season with the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays brought Hoffman in with hopes that he will be able to replace and be better than former fan favorite Jordan Romano who was non-tendered earlier in the off-season.
Early in spring training, the 32-year-old is forging his way to the marquee perch in the 'pen, the implied assignment to replace and upgrade fan favourite, Jordan Romano who was let go after a troublesome 2024. -Longley
Romano seems to be willing to take on the role as the team's closer as he stated in an interview that he feels capable of the job of replacing Romano and feels comfortable with the pressure late in a game.
«I'm absolutely looking forward to it,» Hoffman said of earning and thriving as the Jays new bullpen ace. «It was something I was kind of itching for that opportunity in previous seasons and to have that opportunity is definitely a driving force in my mentality. I feel like that's what I'm kind of meant to be. -Longley
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins seems to believe that Hoffman is a clear upgrade is terms of closer when comparing him to Romano which is why they decided to non-tender him and give Hoffman a three year deal.
Not that Hoffman will be daunted by the challenge and not that general manager Ross Atkins blinked in making what he felt certain will be an upgrade. -Longley
It will be interesting to see how Hoffman ends up doing in his first of three season with the Blue Jays in 2025.
