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Industry Buzz: Jeff Hoffman Could Draw Interest as Starter in Free Agency

Posted on by Bobb
Industry Buzz: Jeff Hoffman Could Draw Interest as Starter in Free Agency

The Phillies could be in for a twist if they hope to bring back Jeff Hoffman as one of their power hitters.

According to ESPNThis is Keely McDaniel“Industry speculation is that Hoffman’s lineup and history as a starting pitcher has some teams thinking he could sign as a free agent from reliever to starter.”

McDaniel named Reynaldo Lopez of the Atlanta Braves and Jordan Hicks of the San Francisco Giants as two pitchers who became free agents last offseason who were viewed by the public as relievers but ended up signing as starters. Hicks was a bit of a mixed bag, posting a 4.10 ERA and 4.37 FIP over 109 2/3 innings. Lopez, however, had tremendous success as a starter, posting a 1.99 ERA in 135 2/3 innings and making the NL All-Star team.

Hoffman was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2014 MLB Draft and began his career as a starting pitcher for both the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. His 5.64 ERA over 50 career starts gives you an idea of ​​why he was eventually moved to the bullpen.

With that said, when Hoffman was a starter, he played his home games at two of the least pitcher-friendly parks in the sport: Coors Field and Great American Ballpark. He also hasn’t yet developed the displacement mechanism that has made him one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past two years. The idea of ​​using Hoffman as a starting pitcher hasn’t been discussed before, but you can at least understand why some teams might consider it.

If Hoffman had signed to be a starting pitcher—which, for the record, McDaniel ultimately doesn’t see as the most likely scenario—it almost certainly wouldn’t have been with the Phillies. The Phillies need to add more starting rotation depth behind Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Christopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez, but they probably aren’t going to make a major investment that locks up Andrew Painter.

Since the Phillies did not extend a qualifying offer to Hoffman, they would be left empty-handed if he left as a free agent. Whatever it takes Hoffman has repeatedly stated he hoped to remain in Philadelphia through the 2024 season.

Even after a disastrous postseason series against the New York Mets, the Phillies are unlikely to do better than Hoffman in terms of late-game pitchers, unless they trade for a closer star like Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers or Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals. Hoffman posted a 2.28 ERA in 122 appearances for the Phillies over the past two seasons. During this period Fangraphs speaks that Hoffman’s 3.6 WAR is fifth among all pitchers.

But McDaniel projects Hoffman will get a three-year, $48 million free agent deal. This would be a big commitment for someone who is not your significant other. It makes you wonder if it’s really back with Carlos Estevez and/or signing another free agent such as Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Clay Holmes, AJ Minter or Kirby Yates will ultimately be the route President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski takes this offseason.

H/T Ty Dauber from Phyllis Nation