The Philadelphia Phillies are in serious trouble with their bullpen this season, no joke. With Brad Keller likely sidelined for the rest of 2026 and potentially most of 2027, plus Taner Banks, Jose Alvarado, and others struggling on the mound, this team is in desperate need of some late-inning help. The trade deadline is their shot to fix this mess, and according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Phillies have one specific target in mind: a reunion with former All-Star Jeff Hoffman.
From All-Star Ace to World Series Heartbreak
Remember Jeff Hoffman? The right-handed reliever was an All-Star with the Phillies back in 2024, rocking a phenomenal 2.17 ERA over 68 appearances. He was lights out, a true weapon out of the bullpen. But holy smokes, what a difference a couple of seasons makes. Since leaving Philadelphia, Hoffman has struggled big time. He put up a 4.37 ERA in 2025 for Toronto, and get this, he’s the guy who blew their World Series chances in Game 7. Ouch. This season, he’s sporting a rough 4.40 ERA in 46 games for the Blue Jays. His overall postseason ERA between both teams sits at a concerning 4.35. Despite those seriously shaky numbers, especially recently, the Phillies still “would love” to bring back the now 33-year-old.
The Price Tag and the Deadline Push
So why would the Phillies want a guy whose recent track record includes blowing a World Series? Well, Nightengale reports they “are in desperate need of a late-inning reliever,” and it looks like Hoffman could be a surprisingly affordable option. He’s currently on a three-year, $33 million deal, meaning he’s making $11 million per year with one more year of control through 2027. Because of his struggles and that chunky contract, the Blue Jays probably can’t ask for the farm in return. The Phillies could even get Toronto to foot more of the bill, though that would obviously bump up the trade cost a bit. Regardless, Hoffman shouldn’t break the bank for Philly this summer. Nightengale’s reporting is clear: the Phillies “would love” to trade for him, and between his performance dip and big contract, he’s definitely a reasonably affordable target. Phillies fans should probably get reacquainted with him because there’s a real chance Hoffman is back in Philadelphia by the August 3 deadline.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply