Could the Blue Jays use Jeff Hoffman as a starter in the future?
The Blue Jays may have found their closer, but they also may have found a starting pitcher.
Before Jeff Hoffman signed with the Blue Jays, there were rumours that several teams were courting him as a starting pitcher. And while Hoffman was an All-Star closer last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, the idea doesn't seem that far-fetched.
After all, when Hoffman was originally drafted by the Jays, all the way back in 2014, it was as a starting pitcher. In fact, he has really only been a full-time reliever for the past three years. Many pitchers who struggle as starters are converted to late-inning relievers. Some are successful starters who become successful closers who then move back into the rotation. John Smoltz and Tim Wakefield are examples of the latter, while the great Dennis Eckersley also began his career as a starting pitcher.
Also, many closers and back-end relievers have been signed to be pitch out of a big league rotation in 2025. The most notable example of this is Clay Holmes, the former closer with the New York Yankees, who jumped to Queens to be a starter with the Mets.
Additionally, with so much uncertainty surrounding the Jays rotation after 2025 and 2026, at least exploring the possibility of Hoffman becoming a starter is not a bad idea, especially with reports now suggesting that the Blue Jays would like have Yariel Rodgriguez pitch out of the bullpen.
There are questions about the health of Hoffman's shoulder and converting back into a starter, where he only has to pitch every five days, might help in the long-term.
For his career, Hoffman is 23-26 with 12 saves.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 13 | 149 ANSWERS Could the Blue Jays use Jeff Hoffman as a starter in the future? Should Jeff Hoffman be a starter or a closer? | ||
| Closer | 106 | 71.1 % |
| Starter | 6 | 4 % |
| Will his shoulder hold up? | 37 | 24.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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