It looks like the Blue Jays got the best version of Jeff Hoffman

The Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen has reached a new level this season thanks the addition of new closer Jeff Hoffman.

While Hoffman was a first time All-Star last year, he entered the offseason on the back of a tough postseason and had some questions about his medicals pop up during free agency.

But through one week, it seems clear that the Blue Jays got the best version of Hoffman.

It looks like the Blue Jays got the best version of Jeff Hoffman

As of Thursday night, Hoffman has allowed one run across four innings with five strikeouts and three saves across four innings.

That comes the year after he had a 2.17 ERA with 21 saves in 66 1/3 innings with the Phillies, where he held batters to a .197 average.

The Blue Jays signed Hoffman to a three-year contract worth $33 million in January to make up for the loss of Jordan Romano, who ironically signed with the Phillies.

Hoffman was signed to build up the back end of the Blue Jays' bullpen after the unit posted a 4.82 ERA, which was the worst ERA bullpen ERA in the American League.

There were concerns about Hoffman's shoulder when the Blue Jays signed him, but Hoffman confirmed that his shoulder was fine and he was ready to pitch.

While Hoffman opened his career as a starter, he transitioned to the bullpen fully in 2022, which was his last year pitching for the Reds. He had a 2.28 ERA across his two seasons in Philadelphia in 118 2/3 innings, and became the team's full-time closer midway through last season.

His baseball voyage started in 2014 when the Phillies drafted him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft before trading him to the Rockies a year later in the Troy Tulowitzki trade.

Hoffman's repertoire consists of a four-pitch mix (splitter, fastball, slider, and sinker). His splitter has been effective against left-handed hitters, as he held hitters to a .195 average against it last year.

His fastball tops out around 95 mph which helps set up his slider, which had a whiff rate of 45.2% last season.

Hoffman finished last year averaging a career-high 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings, and has already racked up five strikeouts in four innings this year.

While the Blue Jays still have an ERA that's far too high (5.47), Hoffman's held down the back of the 'pen perfectly, and is making the Blue Jays investment in him look like the right move.