Are Toronto Blue Jays committed to Jeff Hoffman as closer?

General manager Ross Atkins certainly didn't look like he was committed to the idea when he met with the media late in the season.

Get the latest news from Rob Longley straight to your inbox.

Published November 6, 2025 • Last updated 1 minute ago • 2 minutes read

Jeff Hoffman of the Toronto Blue Jays walks to the bench after starting the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 1, 2025 in Toronto. Photo by Mark Blinch /Getty Images

WITH Tough end to Game 7 of the World Series still fresh and painful, do the Blue Jays plan to stick with Jeff Hoffman as their closest partner?

Advertisement 2

Contents of the article

General manager Ross Atkins certainly didn't seem like a man committed to the idea when he met with the media at his post-season news conference Thursday at Rogers Center.

Contents of the article

When asked if he sees Hoffman, who gave up the game-tying solo home run to Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning of a Game 7 extra-innings loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, returning as close as possible, Atkins wasn't entirely supportive of the idea.

“The great thing about Jeff is that he’s not married to someone like that,” Atkins said in an interview. press conference, part of his availability. “Talking about (the Jays) cohesion and team approach, he epitomizes that.

“I think he’ll be open to anything that makes us better.”

Jace “has a few options” in the bullpen

Later, when Hoffman was pressed in a separate meeting with a small group of reporters, Atkins detailed his thoughts about Hoffman, whom he considered believed it was money for most of the postseason.

Advertisement 3

Contents of the article

“Jeff has done that effectively for us all year and dominated the playoffs,” the general manager said, before listing Yimi Garcia, Louis Varland and adding, “Depending on other acquisitions and decisions, we feel like we have some options.”

It would be wrong to read too much into Atkins' comments beyond the fact that it's clear the team will at least explore the possibility of an upgrade. Frankly, this is how the team always operates in the offseason, a painstaking process it undergoes after each season.

Hoffman, of course. took my mistake seriously as the Dodgers tied the Blue Jays just two outs away from winning their first title since 1993.

“I cost everyone here a World Series ring, so I feel pretty shitty,” Hoffman said in the Jays' clubhouse. “We just need to do better in this place and not let it happen.”