Toronto Blue Jays likely to get rid of unpopular pitcher Jeff Hoffman

If there's one thing the Toronto Blue Jays have a surplus of heading into the Aug. 3 trade deadline, it's right-handed pitching out of the bullpen.

With Yimi García expected to return to the team by mid-August, reliever Jeff Hoffman could be one of the players on his way out of Toronto at the deadline.

The best fit for him, too, might be the place Blue Jays acquired him from — the Philadelphia Phillies.

According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the Phillies front office is expected to be "aggressive" at the deadline, and one of its biggest needs is a set-up right-handed reliever with playoff experience.

Hoffman checks those boxes.

Jeff Hoffman has a 5-7 record out of the Blue Jays bullpen this season and a 4.40 ERA. (William Liang/Imagn Images)

The 33-year-old's role with the Blue Jays has diminished this season after blowing four saves in nine opportunities, which resulted in the loss of his closer job to Louis Varland.

Hoffman could be looking for a change of scenery, and returning to a club where he has a proven track record and earned his first (and only) career All-Star selection in 2024 might be exactly what he needs.

The Phillies' need for relief pitching also recently became even more urgent after veteran reliever Brad Keller suffered a UCL tear two weeks ago that will keep him out for the remainder of 2026 and potentially much of next season.

Toronto also has reason to consider moving him with Varland now in the closer role, García coming back, and Tyler Rogers already as one of the go-to set-up men out of the bullpen.

Moving Hoffman would also give Toronto some additional payroll flexibility heading into the offseason, potentially shaking the $12.6 million he's owed in 2027.

Although the Blue Jays may need to sweeten the deal since Hoffman is having a down year, which could involve Toronto retaining 10 or 15 percent of the salary he's owed next year in return for possibly an aging lower-level prospect within the Phillies organization.

In comes Jeff Hoffman.

From @OverDrive1050 today on Hoffman as a potential trade candidate, and how other teams could view him: https://t.co/h8i2ewxTVm

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) July 23, 2026

While Philadelphia appears to be one of the best fits, the Phillies won't be alone in pursuing bullpen depth over the next week and a half.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals are several contenders also linked to acquiring bullpen upgrades down the stretch, so there will be a market for Hoffman, no matter what.

It just comes down to how much teams are willing to give up and where Toronto sees Hoffman's role moving forward.