Jeff Hoffman is breaking the mold of the stereotypical high-adrenaline closer — and thriving while doing it. Rather than hyping himself up, the new Blue Jays finisher is letting his dominant, swing-and-miss arsenal speak for itself.
One of the more interesting narratives of the Blue Jays’ 2025 season was always going to be the performance comparison between Hoffman and Jordan Romano, the fan-favorite he effectively replaced in a team swap. So far, though, the only drama has been Romano’s tough run with the Phillies, where he’s struggled to the point of being booed off the field by the unforgiving Philadelphia crowd.
Back in Canada, meanwhile, Hoffman has quickly won over fans at Rogers Centre. More importantly, he’s become a reliable closer for manager John Schneider, pairing with Yimi García to form a powerful bullpen duo.
Hoffman’s contributions have been key to Toronto’s solid 11-8 start heading into Thursday’s off-day. In nine outings, he’s logged two wins, four saves, and a 1.74 ERA — including a two-inning save in Wednesday’s 3-1 victory to secure a series win over Atlanta. Through 10.1 innings, he’s held hitters to a .171 average.
“I know everybody else’s heart is pounding in those moments,” Hoffman said. “If I can stay calm, I’ll execute better. It helps me focus and block out the noise.”
Hoffman’s road to becoming a top-tier closer has been anything but linear. Drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round in 2014, he never pitched for the team until this season, having been traded to Colorado in the Troy Tulowitzki deal. It wasn’t until spring training in 2023 with the Twins — a team he never ended up pitching for — that things started to click.
“In that camp, I realized my stuff had taken a step forward,” Hoffman said. “I was getting check swings and hesitant approaches — swings I hadn’t seen in a while. That’s when I knew I had a new level of stuff.”
Another important factor in his rise has been his revised approach to arm care. Instead of the usual grind that wears pitchers down, Hoffman opted for a “less-is-more” philosophy.
“I’ve cut down on how much I throw,” he said. “I still hit the weight room hard, but I don’t overwork my arm. I’d rather feel good every night than drag myself into recovery mode.”
Hoffman’s personality also sets him apart. He’s not the fiery, chest-pounding closer fans often expect.
“I don’t really see myself as that intense, emotional type,” he said. “Sure, I’ll show emotion after a big out, but mostly I focus on keeping my heart rate low and staying locked in.”
That calm and controlled mindset has served him — and the Blue Jays — well. While Romano struggles in Philly, Hoffman’s poise, command, and showman flair — like the cheeky kiss he blew toward the Orioles’ dugout last weekend after a save — have made him a fan favorite in Toronto.
The Orioles, who backed out of a deal with Hoffman over medical concerns, might be regretting their decision. As for the Jays, they’ve found a gem.
“I’ll just keep doing what I do,” Hoffman said. “And hopefully help this team win a lot of games.”
