Blue Jays Skipper Sends Jeff Hoffman Warning Before All-Star Break
The Toronto Blue Jays entered the All-Star break on a frustrating note, highlighted by a late-game collapse and a blown save by reliever Jeff Hoffman. Manager John Schneider issued a public warning after Hoffman allowed key stolen bases, leading to a go-ahead run against the Padres. This incident underscored the team's ongoing issues, particularly Hoffman's inconsistency and his struggle to prevent opponents from stealing bases, having allowed 13 in 16 attempts. Despite being in playoff contention, the Jays face significant challenges, including low run production and defensive lapses. Schneider emphasized that pitchers must give catchers a better chance to limit baserunning, a crucial adjustment needed for the team to make a deep playoff run in the second half.
The Toronto Blue Jays entered the All-Star break within striking distance of a postseason berth, but the club's first half ended on a frustrating note. And a late-game collapse on Sunday served as another reminder that, despite recent progress, Toronto has several issues to address if the team wants to make another deep playoff run.
One of the biggest concerns has been protecting late leads. While former All-Star Jeff Hoffman has shown flashes of the form that once made him one of baseball's top relievers, the veteran right-hander has also endured a season filled with costly mistakes following his blown save in Game 7 of the World Series.
And after his latest blown save against the San Diego Padres on Sunday included a key stolen base, Blue Jays manager John Schneider sent a public warning about where Hoffman and the rest of the team must improve.
Following a strong start from Kevin Gausman on Sunday, the Blue Jays allowed Padres infielder Xander Bogaerts and pinch runner Jase Bowen to steal in the eighth inning, setting up a go-ahead sacrifice fly from Ty France.
Allowing steals has been a notable problem for Hoffman this season and the latest blown save was a particularly harsh way for the team to enter the All-Star break.
"Yes, the Blue Jays are still in contention, but this isn't what they envisioned when the season started,” Ben Nicholson-Smith" href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/hoffman-blows-late-lead-as-blue-jays-head-into-all-star-break-with-tough-loss/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote. “They rank among the bottom five in baseball in runs scored and have too often gotten in their own way — with Sunday's blown save by Hoffman the latest such example. The right-hander has now allowed 13 stolen bases in 16 attempts this season."
Following Hoffman’s latest issues, Schneider emphasized that the pitcher had failed to put the team in the best position to prevent those critical Padres steals.
"We've got to give the catcher a chance," Schneider warned, according to Nicholson-Smith. "It's something we've talked about a lot."
The stolen-base numbers underscore why Schneider singled out the issue following the defeat. Even when Hoffman executes pitches effectively, allowing runners to advance so easily places additional pressure on both the pitcher and Toronto's defense.
Hoffman's season has been defined by inconsistency after arriving last year with expectations of anchoring the back end of Toronto's bullpen.
"Despite a recent run of success, Hoffman, who lost his closer's job earlier this season following a slew of bad outings, enters the break with six losses and four blown saves,” Gregor Chisholm reported for the Toronto Star. “His 4.57 ERA is higher than the 4.37 he produced in a disappointing first season with the Jays."
The Blue Jays remain firmly in the playoff race, making the upcoming second half especially important for both Hoffman and the club.
Schneider's warning made it clear that the reliever needs to put his backstop in a better position to limit baserunning. And if Hoffman can become quicker to the plate and limit opponents' running game, Toronto could improve one of the subtle weaknesses that has repeatedly surfaced in high-leverage situations.
With meaningful games awaiting after the All-Star break, those small adjustments may ultimately prove significant.