2009 Closer -- Hoffman to Brewers

[monkeyman343434]

Any idea why rumors have said Melvin is not interested in Hoffman? Do you think Hoffman doesn't want to come here? Wants a multi-year offer? If he would accept a 1 year 6 million-ish dollar offer to come to milwaukee, i think that would be a good fit for the brewers this coming year?

[Teatoe993]

I heard that Saito was non-tendered by the Dodgers this morning making him a free agent. So I guess he's an option at closer, albeit not a very good one.

[ILuvDaBush]

I would be highly amenable to taking a chance on Takashi, but I don't know if he has any interest in pitching for Milwaukee. I thought there was talk that he enjoyed LA so much because of its ethnic diversity and its relative distance to his homeland.

[Invader3K]

I think Saito would be worth the risk. Before his injury issues, he was one of the best relievers in all of baseball. I would guess he would probably want to stay on the west coast, though.

[piccione88]

I would be highly amenable to taking a chance on Takashi, but I don't know if he has any interest in pitching for Milwaukee. I thought there was talk that he enjoyed LA so much because of its ethnic diversity and its relative distance to his homeland.

Saito reportedly turned down an incentive laden 2.5 million dollar deal from the dodgers, who have not shown any interest in upping their offer. I do not expect them to either they have quite a few options at the back of their pen, and money to burn, so they can afford more stable players. Saito seems like a very good gamble for Melvin, if he throws an extra million guarenteed at Saito, with 2-3 million in incentives I would imagine they could lure him over here.

[Never Outhustled]

I guess it would depend on how much Fuentes would cost. If we could get him for 3 years at 8 million per we wouldn't have to worry about a closer for a few years which would be nice. And that would be a relative discount compared to recent years.

I totally agree, and it looks like Fuentes price may haven fallen to that level, and then some, according to Buster Olney.

Get it done Doug.

[brewtank34]

With MLBTR's most recent report that it may be likely that Fuentes isn't going to get nearly as much as he orignianlly wished for....what are your guy's thoughts on Chad Cordero? Could be had for less than Fuentes and has proven to be a doable closer.

[brewmann04]

Hoffman,Fuentes,Smoltz or Cordero will do right now just make sure you add one doug

[KCBrewerfan34]

Is Smoltz returning as a closer?, I would love him in our rotation

[yoyomayoma]

He says the Brewers might look at Brandon Lyon. Isn't he a type A? Yikes.

 

He also said he "expects" them to talk to Trevor Hoffman soon. I'd prefer Hoffman over Lyon and giving up a 1st.

 

That said, this is mostly a fluff piece with him guessing what Melvin might do. Thought I'd post a link anyway.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com...344&name=olney_buster

[brewtank34]

for what it's worth...There's a report from MLBTR via Onley that the Brewers "might take a look" at RP Brandon Lyon.

 

He's looking for a multi year deal. His stats aren't horrible: 26 sv out of 31 opportunities. His ERA is quite large, but I think it's mainly due to a poor August in which he gave up numerous runs in non save opportunities.

 

Not a bad choice. I think I'd rather have Smoltz or even Looper close as some other options.

[yoshii8]

Lyon is a type B free agent, but I think he would be a decent closer option if signed at a reasonable rate.

[JoeHova]

Buster Olney has yet to show me that he knows anything about anything. Even when he was at the Times he was terrible. I give his advice as much weight as I would give financial advice from Bernie Madoff and I hope Melvin feels the same way.

[areacodes]

I know this is from a couple days ago, but nobody's posted in this thread since then anyways. According to Melvin, from this McCalvy hot stove article, it doesn't appear if Fuentes is interested in the Brewers.

 

"He keeps wanting to play out there. I don't anticipate us [getting him]," Melvin said. "When I go into this, we don't have to be first in line all the time, but I like to hear the player consider us."

 

The article mentions that he has an offer from the Cardinals and is waiting on the Angles to jump into the bidding.

[BrewCrewForever]

Lyon is a type B free agent, but I think he would be a decent closer option if signed at a reasonable rate.

Yeah if he came somewhat cheap and we don't get Fuentes, Hoffman or decide not to use McClung as closer I wouldn't mind Lyon as a closer at all.

[fondybrewfan]

It looks like Doug is still pretty interested in Hoffman. This from rotoworld:

 

 

Brewers GM Doug Melvin told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal that he has interest in signing free agent closer Trevor Hoffman.

 

Melvin believes the interest is mutual. The Dodgers have also been in talks with Hoffman, but if the all-time saves leader wants to close games in '09, Milwaukee is the better fit.

Source: FOXSpots.com

[fondybrewfan]

Tom's Blog Posting on the subject:

 

The Brewers need a closer and general manager Doug Melvin has targeted all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman as his choice to fill that role.

 

I just spoke on the phone with Melvin and he said he's trying to find out as soon as possible -- perhaps even by the end of today -- what the chances are of signing Hoffman. The 41-year-old right-hander became a free agent when San Diego decided not to offer him salary arbitration because of budgetary restrictions.

 

Accordingly, Hoffman would not require the Brewers to forfeit a draft pick even though he is a Class A free agent.

 

"Right now, he is (our top choice)," said Melvin, who spoke with Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, yesterday and plans to do so again today. "We've talked parameters. I'd like to know sooner than later."

 

Hoffman, the all-time saves leader with 554 for his career, converted 30 of 34 save opportunities for the Padres last season. Melvin noted that the Padres won only 63 games, so Hoffman saved nearly half of the team's victory total.

 

Because Hoffman is a changeup specialist, Melvin said his age is not really a factor. The Brewers probably would like to do a one-year deal with some kind of option for a second year but Melvin wasn't sure if the future Hall of Famer would settle for just one guaranteed year.

 

Hoffman preferred to stay with the Padres but they are under an ownership change that won't be settled for several months. Thus, San Diego probably won't be in position to sign him.

 

Reports suggest that Hoffman prefers to stay on the West Coast, and the Dodgers supposedly have interest. But a conversation I had with Thurman over the weekend led me to believe that Hoffman would come to Milwaukee with the right deal.

 

"We talk all the time about the mental aspect of that role and he has the most experience out there," said Melvin. "We're trying to find out (if a deal can be struck)."

 

The Brewers were left without a closer when Salomon Torres retired after last season. Torres had replaced Eric Gagne, who forfeited that role when he struggled in the early weeks of the season. Gagne is a free agent whom the Brewers have not tried to keep.

[TheMCG]

Also now up on the jsonline blog. If the price is right, and I see no reason why it wouldn't be, this would be a fantastic snag by the Crew.

[GoudaBrew]

Strange that Melvin is being so forthcoming with this info.

[ttsather]

Strange that Melvin is being so forthcoming with this info.

 

I was just thinking the same thing. Is he trying to press the issue through the media?

[colbyjack]

Nice to hear. I thought that when Melvin said he didn't have interest in Hoffman after meeting with him, he was basically saying that he wasn't interested in Hoffman at the price he was asking before, and that came before Rodriguez and Fuentes signed for significantly less than expected. Signing Hoffman could be a very good deal, and would allow pitchers like Villanueva and McClung to remain in more diversified roles. Make it happen Doug!

[yoshii8]

It sounds like we have a good chance to acquire Trevor Hoffman, I don't care how old he is, he is still a great pitcher and I'd be very happy w/ this acquisition. I hope its a two year deal, partially because I don't want to see them have to find another closer next off-season, and because I think we'd be getting a discount w/ how this off-season is going.

 

Hoffman, McClung, Villanueva, Riske, Stetter, and two of Dillard, Coffey, Swindle, Julio, Defilice, Morlan would give us a lot of quality and depth.

 

Another reason I would like the signing is that I believe this would make Peavy more open to coming to Milwaukee. But that is mostly me just dreaming.

[ttsather]

Perhaps Melvin can sweeten the deal with a clause that guarantees TGJ will not be on the 25 man roster concurrently with Hoffman.

[ILuvDaBush]

I think a little "Hells Bells" is in order.

[Tbadder]

I would give him a two year contract myself. By that time, maybe, just maybe, the Brewers will have developed an reliever or two. Hoffmann is a perfect stop-gap measure--sign him now.