Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman vows to be better in 2026
Photo credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
In an interview with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson Smith, Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman vows to be better in 2026.
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman was outstanding throughout last year's postseason, allowing just one run across 10 innings in the ALCS and World Series.
Unfortunately for Hoff and the Blue Jays, that lone blemish proved devastating.
It came on a Miguel Rojas home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series - a crushing blow in what became a heartbreaking 5-4, 11-inning loss.
Now back at the club's Player Development Complex, Hoffman shared his thoughts with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith on the weight that comes with closing games.
In the immediate aftermath, Hoffman didn't shy away from accountability.
For him, the responsibility is absolute.
«I cost everybody in here a World Series ring,» he said in the raw moments following the defeat. The replay of that pitch, he admitted, followed him everywhere once he returned home. «I didn't have to replay it in my mind.»
Hoffman maintains he'd make the same decision again. On a full-count pitch, he believes the call was correct and insists he'd execute it nine times out of 10. But on that night, under the brightest lights, it simply didn't cooperate.
«It spun on me,» he said. «And yeah, it wasn't good.» «When I come in, the game is supposed to be over,» he said. «That's what they pay me to do - shut it down and make sure we walk out with a win. When you don't do it, you carry that. I don't take those moments lightly. I use them. It drives you to be better.»
Despite the pain of last October, Hoffman hasn't lost his appetite for the role
Hoffman has been assured he'll once again anchor the bullpen as the Blue Jays chase their first championship since 1993.
During their first meeting of the spring, manager John Schneider told Hoffman the plan remains unchanged: he'll get the ball in the biggest moments.
That clarity wasn't guaranteed earlier in the winter. The Blue Jays explored the free-agent market for bullpen help, evaluating several established closers.
General manager Ross Atkins did so with Hoffman's full support.
«My message to Ross was simple,» Hoffman said. «If it helps us win, do it. I don't care who it is or what role they're coming in for.»
As for improvements, Hoffman is using camp to fine-tune his splitter, experimenting with subtle grip adjustments in hopes of creating more vertical break and less horizontal movement - particularly to make it tougher on left-handed hitters.
The club is also looking to manage his workload more effectively.
Last season featured extremes: 22 appearances on back-to-back days, but also multiple stretches with three, four, or even six days of rest.
The goal in 2026 is steadier usage to keep him sharp and consistent.
The sting of Game 7 hasn't faded. But if Hoffman has his way, it will serve as the foundation for something greater this fall.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 1|105 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman vows to be better in 2026 Do you think Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman will be a better in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 45.7 % |
| No | 30 | 28.6 % |
| Too early to tell | 27 | 25.7 % |
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