Headlines

  • Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake
  • Jose Altuve To Undergo Surgery On Fractured Thumb
  • Rockies To Sign Jurickson Profar
  • Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch
  • Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon
  • Out Of Options 2023
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Twins Sign Jeff Hoffman To Minor League Deal

By Nick Deeds | February 26, 2023 at 2:42pm CDT

Right-hander Jeff Hoffman has signed a minor league contract containing multiple opt-outs with the Minnesota Twins, reports Phil Miller of the Star Tribune. Per FanSided’s Robert Murray, the opt-outs are for March 28, May 15, and June 15. The deal pays Hoffman $1.3MM when in the majors, and includes $50K incentives for pitching appearances in each of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 games, meaning the deal’s potential value maxes out at $1.6MM total.

Hoffman, 30, was the 9th overall pick in the 2014 draft, selected by the Blue Jays. Following a swap to Colorado as part of the Troy Tulowitzki trade, Hoffman came up as a member of the Rockies in 2016, and spent parts of five seasons in a swing role for the club. Despite racking up 230 2/3 innings for the club across those five years, Hoffman never found his footing in Colorado, pitching to a 6.40 ERA (79 ERA+) with a 5.58 FIP.

Even in spite of those struggles, Hoffman’s top prospect pedigree, impressive stuff, and ability to start all intrigued the Reds enough to swap reliever Robert Stephenson for him ahead of the 2021 campaign. Out of Coors Field for the first time in his big league career, Hoffman posted back to back seasons with an above average ERA+ in 2021 and 2022, combining for a 4.28 ERA (108 ERA+) and 4.86 FIP in 117 2/3 innings of work. The 2022 season in particular was a strong one for Hoffman, who pitched largely out of the bullpen en route to a 3.83 ERA (117 ERA+) and 4.30 FIP in 44 2/3 innings.

That encouraging uptick in performance wasn’t enough for Hoffman to avoid getting non-tendered in November, however, and it’s easy to see why the Reds may have had concerns: Hoffman struggled with his control during his time in Cincinnati, walking a 12.8% of batters faced over the last two seasons, and his success last year may have been predicated, at least in part, on an unsustainable 7.5% of his fly balls leaving the yard despite an 8.7% barrel rate.

Now, Hoffman is set to compete for a role on Minnesota’s pitching staff. Such a role seems likely to come in the bullpen, given the club’s deep group of rotation options. Hoffman seems particularly likely to compete for a spot in the Twins bullpen with fellow new arrival Dennis Santana, who was claimed off waivers from the Braves earlier today. Both right-handers have big stuff and have to this point in their careers struggled with control, but has shown himself to be an interesting long-relief or swing option in the big leagues, as well.

In this hypothetical camp battle, Hoffman has prospect pedigree on his side, but Santana has the advantage of youth in addition to even more impressive stuff: his fastball ranked in the 91st percentile in 2022, per Statcast, while Hoffman’s ranked in just the 61st percentile (albeit with a more impressive 93rd percentile spin rate). Should Hoffman not make the Opening Day roster in Minnesota, the three opt-outs in his deal will provide him with ample opportunities to test the open market again, should he so choose.

Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Minnesota Twins Transactions Jeff Hoffman

Twins Claim Dennis Santana
Main
Reds’ Justin Dunn Could Miss All Of Spring Training With Shoulder Issue
View Comments (17)

Comments

  1. kiddhoff

    3 weeks ago

    Wow!

    Reply
  2. deGrom Texas Ranger

    3 weeks ago

    Breaking news alert! Twins to sign right=handed reliever Hoffman!

    Reply
  3. Dorothy_Mantooth

    3 weeks ago

    Welcome Mr. Deeds to the MLBTR family. Things must be going well as I’ve seen a couple of new writers added to the site in the past few months (welcome Simon as well). Looking forward to your future work and chat sessions as well. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  4. Stan Konit

    3 weeks ago

    St. Paul Saints are on free TV.

    Reply
    • katroke

      3 weeks ago

      which channel?

      Reply
    • martras

      2 weeks ago

      The Twins might be too after Bally’s folded haha.

      Reply
  5. PiratesFan1981

    3 weeks ago

    I wonder if any relationship to ex closer Trevor Hoffman

    Reply
  6. Steve Roberts

    3 weeks ago

    This guy was terrible glad he’s out of cincy.

    Reply
  7. $21002046

    3 weeks ago

    Bold strategy!
    The Twins evidently are banking on improving by signing as many rejects as possible from an inferior team.

    Reply
    • Dorothy_Mantooth

      3 weeks ago

      Don’t be surprised if the Twins win the AL Central this year. If they stay mostly healthy this season, they have a real chance to do so. Their pitching staff looks solid with the addition of Pablo Lopez and getting Maeda back from TJS and if Buxton can stay healthy (big IF) then they should be able to score some runs too with Correa back in the fold. It should be a two man race between them and Cleveland, but I guess the White Sox could factor in too if all their players have good to great years for them. Maybe Minn can win the division and actually win at least one playoff game this year as well! That streak needs to end sometime.

      Reply
      • nitnontu

        3 weeks ago

        I think the Twins have a good chance of winning the division. I would still bet on the Guardians, but wouldn’t be surprised if some of their break out players from last year regressed. I like what the twins did this off-season. In a relatively weak division, the winner could wind up just being a few games over 500. Even the White Sox have a decent chance, although I think not as likely as the Twins.

        Reply
  8. mnnorthernjuice

    3 weeks ago

    Cheap random arm to use in spring training while the rest of the regulars are at the world baseball classic. Not a bad move! But quit getting guys from Cincinnati! Lol we have like 5-6 now!

    Reply
    • PiratesFan1981

      3 weeks ago

      Minnesota Reds!

      Reply
  9. martras

    3 weeks ago

    The Twins have a long history of signing pitchers who have major control issues and trying to fix them. It feels like the minors are getting awfully crowded at this point.

    Reply
  10. jason 54

    3 weeks ago

    This is why you don’t hold on to prospects and make a run in this game. Blue Jays got to the playoffs and Bautista’s bat flip by trading him. If not for 1 game in the ALCS they would have gotten a title for him.

    Reply
  11. BenBenBen

    3 weeks ago

    “… but has shown himself to be an interesting long-relief or swing option in the big leagues, as well.”

    No. Bad writer. Don’t use commas when they’re not needed, or in this case before “as well,” just wrong.

    .”.. and his success last year may have been predicated, at least in part, on an unsustainable 7.5% of his fly balls leaving the yard despite an 8.7% barrel rate.”

    “At least in part” should also not have any commas around it. It shouldn’t be set off from the rest of the thought. It is PART of your point. Learn commas.

    Reply
    • ZeusMacalester

      3 weeks ago

      Also, way smoother to say may have been partially predicated on . . .

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake

    Jose Altuve To Undergo Surgery On Fractured Thumb

    Rockies To Sign Jurickson Profar

    Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch

    Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon

    Out Of Options 2023

    Cade Cavalli To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Edwin Diaz Helped Off Field With Right Knee Injury

    José Quintana Out Until At Least July Due To Rib Surgery

    Trevor Bauer Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

    Craig Stammen “Highly Unlikely” To Pitch Again Following Shoulder Injury

    Diamondbacks, Corbin Carroll Agree To Eight-Year Deal

    Nationals Sign Keibert Ruiz To Eight-Year Extension

    Rockies Showing Interest In Jurickson Profar

    Andrew Painter Diagnosed With UCL Sprain; Ranger Suarez Dealing With Forearm Tightness

    Marlins, Jose Iglesias Agree To Minor League Contract

    Marlins In Agreement With Yuli Gurriel On Minor League Deal

    Carlos Rodon, Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino To Begin Season On IL

    Mitch Moreland Announces Retirement

    Astros Facing Gaps In Extension Talks With Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez

    Recent

    MLBTR Live Chat

    Big Hype Prospects: Walker, Volpe, Baty, Grissom, Brown

    Blue Jays Notes: Ryu, Barger, Lopez, Lukes

    Offseason In Review Chat: San Diego Padres

    Astros Notes: Brantley, Yordan, Gage, Bullpen

    The Opener: WBC, Profar, MLBTR Chats

    Latest On D-Backs’ Rotation

    Matt Foster Diagnosed With Forearm Strain

    Adrian Houser Expected To Begin Season In Brewers’ Bullpen

    Competition Committee Evaluating Potential Alterations To 2023 Rule Changes

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version