Oct 9, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) reacts in the fifth inning against the New York Mets in game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Jeff Hoffman was a sneaky good find by the Phillies a couple years ago. They took a flier on him, and he produced over the next two seasons well beyond expectations.
So much so, he was an All Star in 2024.
But now, he's a free agent, and seeking a well-earned payday. The Phillies have said they are interested in bringing him back and in turn, Hoffman indicated he is interested in staying.
Yet on Monday, the first day fo the MLB Winter Meetings, when roster moving-and-shaking starts in earnest, the Phillies signed another right-handed reliever with a similar profile to Hoffman.
They inked Jordan Romano (everyone in Philadelphia will pronounce that wrong, guaranteed. He pronounces it Ro - MAN - Oh) to a one-year deal which, if Romano reaches 60 innings pitched in 2025, will be worth $9 million.
Now, it's only a one-year deal and it's not a lot of money, relative to the sport, but he is a right-handed, back-of-the-bullpen, reliever. Which is what Hoffman is as well.
Hoffman is expected to make a lot more money than Romano. His next deal is expected, by many, to be in the neighborhood of three years, $38 million - the same amount the rival New York Mets paid for another righty reliever when they signed Clay Holmes - although he's converting to be a starter.
There's been some talk about Hoffman doing that too, and while he won't close the door to such conversations, he has said he prefers to be in the role he found his greatest success as a major league - shutting the door in key situations late in games.
The Phillies can afford that, but how much money do they truly want to commit to the bullpen when they have so much money tied up elsewhere on the roster and still have some serious holes to fill?
That's the multi-million dollar question, isn't it?
Jordan Romano deal is official. It’s one-year, $8.5 million. Not promised a closer’s role, but will get save opportunities no doubt. Dave Dombrowski said he is comfortable with bullpen at this point, although he wouldn’t completely rule out acquiring another reliever.
Dombrowski told reporters in Dallas at the Winter Meetings that he's happy with the bullpen as situated, with the addition of Romano, but that he wouldn't rule out the addition of another reliever.
OK, the door is still open there. But is it open for someone seeking that big a contract who doesn't profile as a regular closer and has a similar arsenal to the guy you just signed for a quarter on the dollar?
The Phillies made no guarantees to Romano about closing when they signed him. He was an excellent closer in Toronto for three seasons from 2021-23 where he had reverse splits and was dominant against lefties. But he had elbow problems that shut down his season in late May after 13 2/3 ugly innings.
The Phillies gave him a physical Monday before signing him, and they are confident they are getting a healthy pitcher. Still, should they be willing to say that's their lone move in the bullpen? A flier on a rebound candidate and that's it?
Very solid move for the Phillies grabbing Jordan Romano on a 1 year deal, building the bullpen back after potentially losing Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez
Coming of an injured 2024, but was dominant for a good stretch from 2021-2023, 2.90 career ERA
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It's why you can't say the possibility of Hoffman coming back has gone away. But if the Phillies wanted to bring him back in the role he excelled in for the past two years, why wasn't their other main bullpen target a bona fide closer?
Maybe the Phillies aren't guaranteeing Romano a closer role out loud, and maybe they plan on using him in that position once he proves he's back to his old form.
And if they take that gamble, then yes, maybe you are willing to still bring back Hoffman.
But now, it's seemingly just as likely that if they add another bullpen arm, it would be someone not named Jeff Hoffman.
Last week, in the Phillies mailbag I was asked what my confidence level was about the Phillies signing Hoffman. I said I was somewhere between Janine from Abbott Elementary and Ted Lasso.
Now, I'm trending toward Mr. Snuffleupagus.
The Phillies have been hinting at changes this offseason. This is just the first of what are sure to be a few more than they made at this time a season ago.
And while names like Alec Bohm, Ranger Suarez and Nick Castellanos have been tossed around as weather testers on the change front, there was always cautious optimism that Hoffman would be back after the year he had.
Now, thanks to the addition of Romano, no one is sure.
