Jeff Hoffman had heartwarming things to say about Toronto Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman's time as a Toronto Blue Jay has officially come to an end.

The 33-year-old right-handed reliever was traded to the Minnesota Twins on Monday in exchange for pitching prospects Dasan Hill and Josh Klein, along with international utility player Dameury Peña.

Hoffman travelled from Toronto to Houston before learning he had been dealt and admitted before Monday's game that he had hoped to stay a Blue Jay.

During his two seasons with the Blue Jays, Hoffman's role with the team became a hot topic of conversation among fans and in the media. Though, despite the ups and downs, he had nothing but praise for the city and the organization on his way out.

Jeff Hoffman was dealt to the Minnesota Twins on Monday in exchange for three prospects. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)

"Once you play in a place like this… You don’t want to leave," Hoffman said to MLB.com reporter Keegan Matheson as he was leaving the clubhouse on Monday.

"They definitely have a great thing going here. I think all organizations should strive to be like Toronto."

In his first season with Toronto, Hoffman led all MLB closers in games finished with 59, and helped the Blue Jays secure their first American League pennant in 32 years with a save in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Of course, many fans also remember him for surrendering the game-tying home run to Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Miguel Rojas in Game 7 of the World Series before the Dodgers went on to win in extra innings.

It was a moment Blue Jays manager John Schneider believes he shouldn't be remembered by.

"I think he's been throwing the ball as well as he has. It's very unfair for Jeff Hoffman to be remembered by one pitch last year in Game 7," Schneider told the media after the trade.

"I think it's very unfair for Jeff Hoffman to be remembered by one pitch last year in Game 7."

John Schneider shares his thoughts on Jeff Hoffman's Blue Jays tenure. pic.twitter.com/JYvbqZJSWC

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 3, 2026

"That comes with Game 7, but what he's done for us over his two seasons — I'll always be thankful for. I have all the respect in the world for him and his family."

Hoffman has had an up-and-down 2026 season and lost his closer role in Toronto to Louis Varland after struggling to close out games early on this season.

Since moving into a high-leverage setup role, he lowered his ERA to 3.94 while boosting his strikeout rate to 14.1 per nine innings.

He'll likely have another opportunity to close games in Minnesota, as the Twins have already used 11 different pitchers to record a save this season.