Jeff Hoffman Grateful for Phillies After Joining Blue Jays

TORONTO — Jeff Hoffman stepped into the Blue Jays‘ clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon, sharing a laugh as he spotted a familiar sight: a worn green street sign reading HOFFMAN AVE. This sign was a symbol of his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, where Hoffman resurrected his career with a $33 million deal as a late-inning reliever.

The sign, which had hung in the Phillies’ clubhouse, was a playful gift from his former teammates after he made the National League All-Star team last year. Hoffman, who holds no grudge against the Phillies for not meeting his financial expectations last offseason, was delighted to see it again after assuming it was gone following his departure.

“I’m really thankful and grateful for the opportunity they gave me,” Hoffman said about his time with the Phillies. “I definitely wouldn’t be here without that.”

At 32, Hoffman enjoyed a successful stint with the Phillies, recording a 2.28 ERA over 122 appearances. He expressed a desire to return to the team but noted that the discussions about a re-signing never gained traction.

“We tried to sign Hoffman, very aggressively, right?” said Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Phillies. However, league sources indicated that communication had dwindled after the team signed another reliever in December.

Hoffman ended up joining the Blue Jays in January, but his start to the 2025 season has been a mixed bag. He posted a strong 1.10 ERA with 23 strikeouts over his first 16 1/3 innings, though his performance slipped recently with a 5.81 ERA in the following weeks.

“It was bittersweet seeing him leave,” said Matt Strahm, Hoffman’s close friend and former teammate. “He got paid, so that’s good.”

Hoffman remains in contact with former teammates, including Strahm, and keeps an eye on Phillies games. “It’s part of this game,” Strahm said, reflecting on their friendship. “Jeff’s one of those true friends.”

As Hoffman navigates his new chapter with the Blue Jays, he cherishes the memories he created in Philadelphia while looking forward to what lies ahead.