Holding a seven-game lead in the National League East division and one of the best records in all of baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies have their sights set on another deep playoff.
To solidify those postseason chances, they spent a hefty sum to acquire closer Carlos Estévez at the trade deadline. But setup man and first-time All-Star Jeff Hoffman is nearly as valuable, and Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report expects the team to prioritize re-signing him.
“The 31-year-old has found a new level of success in the Philadelphia bullpen after flaming out as a starting pitcher and former top prospect,” Reuter added. “He has a 1.85 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 12.0 K/9 with 10 saves and 18 holds in 60 appearances this season, and he was an All-Star for the first time. It’s going to cost a significant amount to keep him around, but keeping the relief corps intact should be at the top of Philadelphia’s to-do list.”
Hoffman has had a career season on a one-year, $2.2 million deal. As a result, the projected value of his next contract is significantly higher.
“Ryan Pressly signed a two-year/$30 million extension with the Houston Astros prior to his age-34 campaign in 2023,” Tim Kelly reported for Phillies Nation. “Factoring in that Hoffman is a couple of years young and the market in theory goes up with the passage of time, something like a three-year deal between $45 and $50 million with a vesting option at a similar rate for a fourth year feels like it would be fair.”
As one of the most complete teams in baseball, the Phillies sent an MLB-leading eight players to the All-Star Game this season. But with so many star players, they have the fourth-highest total payroll in baseball this season and are currently on the hook for the highest total payroll next year.
It might be challenging to make room for Hoffman’s next deal among all of that committed money, but the pitcher is hoping the two sides can find a way to make it work.
“I want to be here — I love it here,” he told North Penn Now. “And I feel like this is my family, all these guys in here … bringing back pretty much the same band that we had last year … making it that much tighter, that much more tight-knit. It feels like home.”
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