Jeff Hoffman Adds Orioles to His Rivalry List After Deal Falls Apart
When it comes to contract negotiations, deals between players and teams often feel like a formality, but until everything is finalized, there’s always a chance things can fall apart. That’s exactly what happened with Jeff Hoffman and the Baltimore Orioles.
Reports indicated that the two sides had agreed to a multiyear contract, which would have been the first of its kind for the Orioles to sign a reliever since 2018. The agreement would have brought a star right-hander to Baltimore—one who had posted impressive numbers with a 2.28 ERA and 184 ERA+ over the past two years. However, concerns about Hoffman’s medicals led the Orioles to walk away from the deal.
In the wake of this setback, Hoffman quickly found a new home, signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team that originally drafted him ninth overall in the 2014 MLB Draft. The Orioles will now face Hoffman multiple times a season in the highly competitive AL East, making the situation even more intriguing.
At his introductory press conference with the Blue Jays, Hoffman made it clear that he’s motivated to compete against the Orioles. “We can add them to the list,” he said, hinting that the Orioles are now among the teams he’s eager to face.
While Hoffman didn’t reveal the other teams on his “list,” it’s reasonable to assume the Philadelphia Phillies may be included, especially since they didn’t re-sign him this winter despite his desire to return. The Atlanta Braves, who were also cautious about his medicals, could be another team on that list.
The question now is whether the Blue Jays saw the same medical concerns and were unconcerned, or if they simply missed the issue altogether.
Regardless of the details, Hoffman is excited about his fresh start in Toronto. “All the flags, physical stuff, was as big a surprise to me as anybody,” he said. “If you can check my kind of track record over the past few seasons, I’ve been as healthy as anybody. It’s a nonissue for me. It’s just something that they wanted to bring up and the Blue Jays see me for what I am. So I’d rather be in a place like that anyways.”
Hoffman’s journey has taken an unexpected turn, but he’s ready to prove himself with the Blue Jays—while making sure the Orioles, and possibly a few other teams, feel the heat when they face him.
