The Chicago Cubs once again lose out on another top free agent target of theirs.
The Chicago Cubs needed to add another backend reliever to their bullpen and their top target right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman is now off the board after signing a three-year deal worth $33 million with the Toronto Blue Jays per MLB Networks Jon Morosi.
Losing out on another top free agent
The Chicago Cubs have missed out on all the top free agent position players and pitchers so far this offseason. With the Cubs needing to add high-leverage arm for this season and possibly a potential closer, Jeff Hoffman would’ve been a great addition to have to the backend of the bullpen to pair with Porter Hodge and Tyson Miller. Earlier this offseason it was reported that Jeff Hoffman was seeking a deal similar to that of the New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes who signed for three-years $38 million.
Jeff Hoffman wanting to sign a deal similar to Clay Holmes makes sense after Clay Holmes saw Reynaldo López find success in going from a reliever to a starting pitcher. Hoffman who was once a top starting pitching prospect with the Colorado Rockies and showed flashes of having success as being a starting pitcher. Lacking a third pitch however Hoffman was converted to a full-time reliever during his time with the Cincinnati Reds.
A one-time starter who has found more success as a reliever, Jeff Hoffman had a career year for the Philadelphia Phillies in which he was named to his first All-Star appearance in his career in 2024. Hoffman made 68 appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies in which he went 3-3, with a 2.17 ERA, with 89 strikeouts, and collecting 10 saves in 66.1 innings.
In his All-Star season Hoffman was one of the better relievers not only in the National League, but really in all of baseball. Ranking in the 96th percentile for chase, whiff, and K percentage according to his Baseball Savant as well as having one of the better pitch mixes in all of baseball Hoffman would be an interesting option for the Cubs to think of as a starter.
Who is left on the boar now that Hoffman is gone?
With Jeff Hoffman now off the board the top free agent relievers left on the market are closers Tanner Scott and Carlos Estevez who both have been connected to the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have to sign one of them to vastly improve their bullpen which has been a weakness for them in recent years. Having a lock down bullpen to carry on what figures to be a dominant starting rotation will be key for the Chicago Cubs to have success this season.
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