The Orioles nearly handed out their first multiyear contract to a free agent pitcher since 2018, but now that player is a Toronto Blue Jay.

One of the most sought-after relievers this offseason was Jeff Hoffman, and before signing the Blue Jays, multiple teams passed up on him.

The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves backed out of agreements to sign Jeff Hoffman because of concerns about the reliever’s pitching shoulder before he finalized a $33 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays last week.

Last Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays signed reliever Jeff Hoffman to a three-year deal, the splashiest free agent signing for the club this winter. However,

The Braves walked away from an agreement with free agent right-hander Jeff Hoffman due to medical concerns. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

The Toronto Blue Jays are officially taking a big risk with free agent reliever Jeff Hoffman. The hard-throwing reliever, who may end up serving as the Blue Ja

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)(AP/Chris Szagola) The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves backed out of agreements to sign Jeff Hoffman because of concerns about the reliever’s pitching shoulder ...

The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves backed out of agreements to sign Jeff Hoffman because of concerns about the reliever’s pitching shoulder before he finalized a $33 million, three-year ...

The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves backed out of agreements to sign Jeff Hoffman because of concerns about the reliever's pitching shoulder before he finalized a $33 million, three-year ...

This story was excerpted from Jake Rill's Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Since winning the World Series in 2021, the Braves have struggled to get back to the top of the sport. They've made the playoffs in the past three seasons but haven't made it past the division series.

The Philadelphia Phillies already lost one of their high-leverage relief pitchers this offseason when Jeff Hoffman agreed to a three-year deal with the Toronto