Controversial trade offer that would send Jeff Hoffman packing before Opening Day
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Victor William
Feb 12, 2026 (7:10 PM)
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Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
A new report suggests the Blue Jays should make a shocking "last-minute" trade to officially turn the page on their World Series heartbreak.
With Spring Training officially underway, the roster looks set, but one analyst believes there is a ghost in the machine that needs to be exorcised.
According to a bold piece from ClutchPoints, the Blue Jays must trade closer Jeff Hoffman to remove the psychological weight of his Game 7 failure.
Hoffman (Drafted 1st Round, 2014 by Blue Jays) had a solid season with 33 saves, but he will forever be linked to the meatball he served to Miguel Rojas.
The article argues that keeping him in the closer role is a recipe for disaster because the "trauma" of that moment will linger over the entire season.
"He's going to blow some saves... and every time he fails, the fans are going to howl," the report states.
Hoffman himself admitted after the loss, "I cost everybody in here a World Series ring," a quote that is hard to un-hear.
Is a change of scenery necessary for both sides?
The proposed solution is to swap Hoffman for another veteran closer—even one with their own "baggage"—just to reset the vibes in the bullpen.
It’s a ruthless suggestion, but one that stems from the fear that the pressure in Toronto might be too toxic for him to bounce back.
With a bullpen that already features Tyler Rogers, Louis Varland, and a healthy Yimi Garcia, the team theoretically has the depth to make a move.
However, trading your closer days before the season starts is a panic move that Ross Atkins rarely makes.
John Schneider has already publicly backed Hoffman, stating "anyone can close" but expressing confidence in his stuff.
But if Hoffman struggles early in camp, the whispers about his mental state are going to get loud very quickly.
This trade idea is controversial, but it asks a valid question: Can a pitcher ever truly recover from losing a World Series on one pitch in the same city?
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The Toronto Blue Jays have infielder headed for trading block after latest rumors
The Toronto Blue Jays have infielder headed for trading block after latest rumors