Blue Jays sign Jeff Hoffman to $33 million contract after Orioles agreement fell through

The Blue Jays just acquired one of free agency’s top relievers to boost their bullpen.Toronto announced Friday that it inked a three-year deal with right-hander Jeff Hoffman.It was later revealed that the ex-Phillies right-hander’s contract is worth $33 million, with incentives potentially bringing it up to $39 million, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.Prior to signing with the Blue Jays, however, Hoffman reached a three-year, $40 million deal with the Orioles, but it fell through due to concerns with Hoffman’s physical, per MLB insider Robert Murray.Hoffman, 32, had his best MLB season with the Phillies in 2024, emerging as one of the league’s top bullpen arms.The New York native boasted a career-high 89 strikeouts in 68 appearances, earning him his first All-Star Game appearance.Hoffman also racked up 10 saves after being slotted in the closer role in the middle of the year.During his two seasons in Philadelphia, Hoffman held a 2.28 ERA, placing him sixth among pitchers with at least 100 appearances in that span.Hoffman was nearly out of the majors two years ago when he had a 5.68 ERA through seven seasons with the Rockies and Reds before joining the Phillies.Prior to the 2023 season, the Phillies signed Hoffman to a minor league deal, and he started the season in Triple-A before being called up in May of that year.Hoffman did, however, disappoint in the playoffs this season, giving up seven earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings against the Mets in the NLDS.The 32-year-old could unseat veteran reliever Chad Green for the closer role in Toronto, who was a stop-gap following an injury to two-time All-Star Jordan Romano.Romano, conincidentall enough, signed a one-year deal worth $8.5 million with the Phillies on Dec.

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