Blue Jays (Bieber) vs Phillies (Luzardo): 08/09/26, 1:35 PM

[max silver]

1 hour ago, Brownie19 said:

Correct - if we go on some amazing 1 in 20 run, we're going to miss Hoffman.

I think he's just pointing out how ironic it is that there have been several fans claiming Hoffman cost us the World Series and that he has cost us the playoffs this year, etc.  There's never really been a shortage of fans hating on Hoffman at any given time.  He's been the scapegoat for awhile now.

We trade the guy and suddenly, there's people commenting about how much he is missed.

It isn't necessarily the same people making those 2 comments, but it's still kinda funny.

I find it to be hilarious that a good portion of the fanbase seems to believe that the 2026 Blue Jays are somehow better without Jeff Hoffman. With him in the pen I think the team likely would have enjoyed the strongest bullpen it's had at any point during the Shapiro/Atkins regime but I do understand why the front office jumped at the chance to add a talent like Hill as he very well may have the highest ceiling of any pitcher in the Blue Jays minor league system if they can help him iron out the command. The dude is a beanpole as he's listed at 6'5" and only 165 pounds and he's a prime candidate to add some much needed beef at the PDC over the offseason.

[glory]

Hoffman was signed to be the closer, and the team kept him there all of 2025 even when the numbers suggested they shouldn't have. Then they began 2026 with him in that role again despite how 2025 ended. Then he lost the closer role and became more of a 7th inning guy. A 7th inning guy making $11M a year is a luxury, something the Jays aren't good enough to have at the moment. Getting a prospect with upside (plus other lotto tickets) and reallocating the money next season seems like a far more sensible idea, and I'm glad they did it even if Hill never pans out.

[Brownie19]

4 hours ago, glory said:

Hoffman was signed to be the closer, and the team kept him there all of 2025 even when the numbers suggested they shouldn't have. Then they began 2026 with him in that role again despite how 2025 ended. Then he lost the closer role and became more of a 7th inning guy. A 7th inning guy making $11M a year is a luxury, something the Jays aren't good enough to have at the moment. Getting a prospect with upside (plus other lotto tickets) and reallocating the money next season seems like a far more sensible idea, and I'm glad they did it even if Hill never pans out.

I think you'll be surprised what type of pitcher you get for $11M.  It's definitely 7th/8th guys.