"Sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr., get Alex Bregman and Anthony Santander" - MLB fans react to Blue Jays signing Jeff Hoffman for $33,000,000 contract

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Jeff Hoffman from the free agent pool on a three-year, $33 million contract on Friday evening. The Blue Jays have confirmed the move after general manager Ross Atkins released a statement announcing the addition of the right-handed relief pitcher to the team.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays supporters offered their reactions to the news on social media. They feel the addition of Jeff Hoffman is good for their team, but they need a lot more to make them competitive again. Most fans believe the Blue Jays have to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension, while others want them to pursue Alex Bregman and Anthony Santander in the free agent market.

Jeff Hoffman became a free agent after a couple of excellent seasons as a high-leverage reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hoffman is coming off the best campaign of his nine-year major league career, besides winning his first All-Star selection last year. He will probably take up the closer role for the Blue Jays after they surprisingly non-tendered Jordan Romano at the end of the 2024 campaign.

The Blue Jays fan posted their thoughts regarding the signing of Jeff Hoffman on Instagram.

(Image Source: Instagram)

"Sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr., get Alex Bregman and Anthony Santander," demanded one fan.

(Image Source: Instagram)

"Now, give Vlad his money," another fan said.

(Image Source: Instagram)

"First time Blue jays actually signed someone they were interested in," another fan chimed in.

The comments were pretty much the same from the Blue Jays fans on X.

"Now re sign Vladdy and get Santander!" exclaimed one fan.

"Now keep Vladdy home for life!" another fan added.

"Sign Vladdy or f*** off, you have ruined this team," another fan posted.

The Blue Jays fans are naturally anxious about retaining Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he enters his final season before reaching free agency.

Jeff Hoffman nearly joined the Orioles before signing for the Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman enjoyed a sucessful two-year stint with the Phillies (Image Source: Imagn)

Prior to signing his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, it was reported that the Baltimore Orioles had agreed to a three-year, $40 million deal with Jeff Hoffman. As per MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided, the deal collapsed after Hoffman flunked his physical.

"Hoffman and the Baltimore Orioles reached an agreement on a three-year, $40 million contract earlier this week, sources say," Robert Murray wrote on Friday evening. "The Orioles, however, flagged Hoffman’s physical—two sources say it was his right shoulder."

Therefore, Hoffman ended up signing for the Blue Jays, the team that had selected him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft as the ninth overall pick, although he never played for the team.