One year after signing closer Jeff Hoffman to a multi-year deal in free agency, could the Toronto Blue Jays be ready to strike again?

It seems possible based on what general manager Ross Atkins had to say on Thursday at the organization's end-of-season press conference.

Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com:

Ross Atkins, when asked if Jeff Hoffman would be the #BlueJays’ closer next season:

“The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to that … I think he would be open to anything that makes us better.”

How should Hoffman take that comment?

Only Hoffman really knows, of course, but there's basically two ways this can go.

1) Hoffman sees that comment as an endorsement of himself as a teammate and he's excited about the possibility of adding good players who can help the Blue Jays win the World Series in 2026, even if it changes his personal role.

2) Hoffman can be offended, considering he was signed to be the team's closer and did the job all season - and he did it especially well in the playoffs. Perhaps he feels that any bullpen help should come in the form of set-up relievers.

Only he knows.

About Hoffman's year

Signed to a three-year, $33 million deal last offseason, Hoffman had a tumultuous regular season. He went 9-7, amassing 16 total decisions, and pitching to a 4.27 ERA. His strikeout numbers were excellent (84 in 68.0 innings) and he had 33 saves. However, he struggled with the home run ball, giving up 15 blasts in those 68.0 innings.

He was excellent in the playoffs, giving up just two earned runs in 12.1 innings. He struck out 18. However, his home run allowed in the top of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series was part of the story of why the Blue Jays lost to the Dodgers.

What relievers are out there?

Each of the following relievers have closing or significant high-leverage experience:

Edwin Diaz (New York Mets)

Pete Fairbanks (Tampa Bay Rays)

Raisel Iglesias (Atlanta Braves)

Kirby Yates (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Rafael Montero (Detroit Tigers)

Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Angels)

Jose LeClerc (Athletics)

Robert Suarez (San Diego Padres)

Jordan Romano (Philadelphia Phillies)

Ryan Helsley (New York Mets)

Devin Williams (New York Yankees)

Paul Sewald (Detroit Tigers)

Up next

The general manager's meetings take place from Nov. 11-13, while the winter meetings are Dec. 7-10.

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