Why the Orioles Passed Jeff Hoffman Before the Blue Jays Signed

To get back to the postseason in 2025 The Baltimore Orioles need another arm or two added to your throwing rod. Especially in the column, closer Felix Bautista is coming back from Tommy John surgery. News that the team has agreed to a three-year contract with pitcher Jeff Hoffman, only on to physically hold things, came via FanSided’s Robert Murray on X, formerly, Twitter.

“Sources: Before signing with Blue Jays, Jeff Hoffman reaches three-year, $40 million deal with Baltimore Orioles,” Murray posted on the social media site. “The Orioles have flagged Hoffman’s physical and he’s now a right-hander in Toronto.”

Hoffman has since agreed on a three-year, $33 million contract that can rise to $39 million with incentives. Although many clubs have looked at Hoffman as a potential addition to their starting rotation, Toronto has said the right-hander will remain in prison. If he continues to play like he did last season with the Phillies, this could be a very underrated signing. However, if the Orioles concern for his shoulder saves if their heavy salary demands are advanced, then GM Mike Elias will save ownership a pretty penny. Can these potential savings help them now and in the future?

The Orioles are looking to rebuild their pitching staff in 2025

Bautista will hopefully return to his pre-injury form where he was one of the best players in baseball. Yenier Cano has been solid, and Andrew Kittredge was added on a one-year deal when Elias and the front office moved on to Hoffman. Other standouts include Keegan Akin, a lefty, and Seranthony Dominguez, who was acquired at the trade deadline. Nice as Hoffman would were in the bullpen, the Orioles return a strong group.

Where the team still needs help is their starting rotation. Veterans Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano signed one-year contracts, while ace Corbin Burns left for a six-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Zach Eflin returns and Grayson Rodriguez wants to take the next step in 2025. Dean Kramer also wants to improve, but starting depth needs to be addressed as an issue.

For now, it looks like the O’s have mostly filled their pressing holes. Hoffman will now ply his trade north of the border. Will two parties going their separate ways work for both parties? Will he come back? about Elias and the Orioles? Or will Hoffman regress? Spring training and the 2025 season, along with the answers they will provide, are getting closer.