The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to be one of the more aggressive buyers at the August 3 Trade Deadline this season.
Despite last season's success with Harrison Bader and Jhoan Duran, the team has struggled to get impactful pieces that can help lead them deep into October at previous deadlines.
This season, the Phillies have three clear needs. Starting pitching, a right-handed outfielder and high-leverage bullpen arms.
Philadelphia's bullpen sits about middle of the pack with a 4.32 ERA. But outside of elite closer Duran, no one has performed particularly well.
In a somewhat surprising move, Bob Nightengale of USA Today revealed that the Phillies "would love to bring back Jeff Hoffman of the Toronto Blue Jays.”
Hoffman spent his two best seasons in Philadelphia in 2023 and 2024, earning an All-Star nod in 2024.
Since signing with the Blue Jays during the 2024-2025 offseason, Hoffman has struggled, especially in the closer role. He most notably gave up a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game Seven of the 2025 World Series, to the number nine batter.
Hoffman came into 2026 still with the closer role, but lost it due to a 6.23 ERA going into June.
However, the 33-year-old has seemingly bounced back since June 1. In 17 1/3 innings since June 1, Hoffman is posting a 1.56 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP and only three earned runs allowed.
Hoffman could be a great addition to any bullpen if he can keep these numbers up, but a reunion with the Phillies seems to be in the cards.
