In a move that surprises no one, Toronto will be temporarily removing Jeff Hoffman from the closer role:
Right now, it sounds like it will be temporary, letting him work in lower leveraged appearances until he regains confidence. Through his first 12 games, spanning 10.2 innings, his 2.063 WHIP is accompanied by a 31.6 K-BB percentage, a 60 percent contact rate allowed, and an impressive 21.2 swinging-strike percentage. But he leads the majors in blown saves, and his .609 BABIP will not continue, but improvements must be made, especially with his four-seam fastball.
Not announcing a replacement has two parts. First, it does not embarrass a veteran teammate who was one pitch from a World Championship. Second, it leaves the team wriggle room if Louis Varland is deployed against an opposing team’s best lineup pocket and not reserved solely for the ninth inning. However, he recorded his first career save, bailing out Hoffman’s bases-loaded situation against the Angels with one pitch. He has posted 19 strikeouts against three walks (34.8 K-BB percentage), and 0.85 WHIP enhances his appeal. Even if he’s the team’s highest-leverage reliever, increased opportunities for saves cannot be ignored. He’s the preferred add in this short-term scenario.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Louis Varland | *Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
*= closer-by-committee
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