The Toronto Blue Jays have parted with their ex-closer.
Right-hander Jeff Hoffman has been traded from Toronto to the Minnesota Twins
Coming back in return for Hoffman are prospects Dasan Hill, John Klein and Dameury Pena, and $250,000 in international cap space.
What was Hoffman's initial reaction to learning he had been traded to the Twins?
"Sad," an emotional Hoffman told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae in Houston.
"Once you play in a place like this, you don't want to leave," he said. "I think all organizations should strive to be like Toronto."
Hoffman, 33, was in his second season with the Blue Jays. He lost his closing job earlier in the season to Louis Varland but remained an important bullpen option for manager John Schneider, pitching in leverage situations.
In 51 appearances for the Blue Jays this season, Hoffman had a 3.94 ERA and 75 strikeouts with five saves.
Last season, he had a career-high 33 saves to help the Blue Jays finish with the best record in the American League, then made 10 more appearances in the playoffs, recording 18 strikeouts.
Hoffman was a first-round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2014 but was traded to the Colorado Rockies in the Troy Tulowitzki deal before making his MLB debut. An 11-year veteran, he has pitched for the Rockies, Reds, Phillies and Blue Jays in his career.
Hill, 20, is a left-handed pitcher who just reached high-A ball this season. In 16 starts with Cedar Rapids this season, he's put up a 5.80 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 37 walks.
Klein is a 24-year-old right-hander who made his major-league debut this season. In three appearances with Minnesota, he sports a 4.15 ERA with two strikeouts and four walks.
Pena has reached as high as high-A ball. Between the two levels this season, the 20-year-old has hit .300/.373/.362 with one home run and 47 RBI.
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