2009 Closer -- Hoffman to Brewers

[recte44]

[joepepsi]

And what role is David Riske gonna play in our bullpen?

 

In the words of Earl Weaver, "you're role is to warm up when I tell you, and go pitch when I tell you."

[JohnBriggs12]

One year with an option for Hoffman makes sense. I have to believe if there were teams out there offering more than one year, he would have taken it by now. Any 41 year old comes with some risk. I also don't see any thing more than $5-6 million per year.

 

At this point, I see Hoffman as adequate but nothing to really get too thrilled about. I think Villanueva could do as good or better in the closer role, but this would add depth to an area that was sorely lacking it.

[joepepsi]

I would definitely offer 2 years, especially if it was in the $5-6 million per year range. If he saves 30-35 games next year and is strictly mop up in 2010, it's still worth the $10-12 million.

[monty57]

IMO, if they can sign Hoffman and Sheets, it will have been a great offseason. I'd say they'd at least be as good and probably better going into this season than they were going into last season.

 

Let's get this deal done!

[patrickgpe]

i agree, while at the beginning of the off season i was hoping that sheets would go elsewhere and was content getting the 2 draft picks, it has become apparent that even with sheets injury history he is by far the best starter on the market. Also getting a veteran closer who only blew 4 saves last year would be another coo for melvin.

[Pudster13]

And That wrote:

 

If/when the Brewers trade Cameron, they'll have enough money to make two good additions to the bullpen, and still add a starter.

I would say that, at this point, the Brewers are stuck with Cameron and his $10M contract for 2009. The Yankees were the only suitor for him at that price tag and the Yankees (after signing Tex) have a glut of OF (Damon, Nady, Matsui, Swisher, Melky, Gardner).

 

I say our bullpen would be fine with a low-cost Hoffman (1 year with an option) for closer and then try to bring back Sheets with a 2 year deal ($24-30M range).

[davego]

Just throwing this out there, but does having Hoffman (assuming we have Hoffman) and CV both at the end of the pen present a problem as they both depend upon the change-up?

[And That]

Probably not - they wouldn't be facing the same batters for one thing. Villy also throws both pitches harder, especially his change.

[fondybrewfan]

Another question.

 

Does the impending sale of the Padres to Moorad possibly increase the chances that he just stays in SD or do you think he is too pissed at Towers and the organization to ever go back?

[bjkrautk]

I know what song will be going onto my iPod if this gets finalized...

[BrewCrewForever]

I'm fine with this. Fills a need and Hoffman although 41 had a good year in 2008. I personally can't complain with a guy who converts 30 of 34 saves with an era under 4 and a WHIP of 1.037. Sign him to a 2 year deal. Then try to lure Sheets back or go get Looper or Garland. If Doug gets that done I am fine with this offseason.

[PeaveyFury]

Tom H's latest has them making progress towards a deal:

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/37172074.html

 

Dodgers are interested as well...

[BrewCrewForever]

And what role is David Riske gonna play in our bullpen?

 

In the words of Earl Weaver, "you're role is to warm up when I tell you, and go pitch when I tell you."

That Weaver quote is gold! I think a healthy David Riske could be used with Villanueva and Stetter as setup men for Hoffman.

[WisconsinSportsRule]

Jon Heyman, of SI.com, reports the Los Angeles Dodgers are in serious talks with free-agent CL Trevor Hoffman (Padres) and could sign in the coming days. The Dodgers may have an advantage because of the fact that Hoffman prefers to remain close to home in Southern California.

[aracko]

Id really like to see Big Red in the 8th and Hells Bells in the 9th. What that means for carlos villanueva I am not sure though - does he become starter #5?

[dpapo]

It will be disappointing to lose out on Hoffman to the Dodgers. MLB.com also has an article about this,

 

""We're talking parameters of a deal with both teams," Rick Thurman of the Beverly Hills Sports Council told MLB.com in a telephone interview. "In the next 24-to-48 hours I think we'll have something done. If we don't have a deal done we'll have a pretty solid idea of where he's going. But I think we'll have a deal done."

 

--Looks like it's coming down to whether Hoffman would rather stay on the West Coast which is what he wants vs still being a closer, which is also what he wants. At his age, it could go either way.

Also, it was Ken Macha who actually called Melvin to get permission to give Hoffman a call.

 

"...when new Brewers manager Ken Macha learned that general manager Doug Melvin was talking recently with Hoffman's agent, he asked Melvin for permission to call Hoffman himself. Hoffman was vacationing with his family in Hawaii, but returned that call on Saturday.

"I gave him a compliment on his career, and his professionalism," Macha said Tuesday. "A guy with Hoffman's experience and track record, what he's done over the years, would bring a lot of confidence to your team," Macha said. "This guy is a tremendous individual, and he could have a great influence on the young guys on our staff."

 

Also mentioned the following,

 

"The Brewers also want to add a pitcher to their starting rotation, but Macha, for his part, believes the priority is a top-notch closer."

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/a...otstove2008&fext=.jsp

 

[RU Rah Rah]

I liked this line from the MLB.com piece:

 

"Hoffman, 41, is intent on reaching the 600-save plateau and won't sign anywhere if he doesn't have the chance to be the closer."

 

That does seem like the big stumbling block, in terms of him going to LA.

[brewtank34]

Way to go outside the box Macha! Good managing decisions hopefully paying off already!

[Gobias Industries]

That does seem like the big stumbling block, in terms of him going to LA.

Is Broxton the closer out in LA, or am I forgetting someone?

 

You'd think they would want Broxton to SU and have Hoff close.

[B2k1121]

http://msn.foxsports.com/...-talk-contract-parameters

 

Rosenthal has the latest article, basically what we already heard, but more evidence that the possibility is growing.

[BrewCrewForever]

I would think Broxton will close in LA. So I don't know why Hoffman would go to LA if he can't close. Hopefully that will make the Brewers the front runners.

[Yeti73]

Brewers make sense for Hoffman too. Good place to pad stats, decent money, much more competitive than the Padres, likely guaranteed closer post. I think they are using LA as just negotiation tool. I'd be surprised if this didn't happen soon. If we bring back Sheets, I'll be pretty happy about our offseason and optimistic about being competitive this year. If we can pull 84-88 wins next year, I'll be happy. Obviously not as fun as this year, but I'd be pleased.

[And That]

I think they are using LA as just negotiation tool.

 

I thought of this too as soon as I read of LA's parallel interest to ours. Well, either that or vice versa. I hope this all gets decided soon - if the Brewers don't sign Hoffman, I have a feeling Melvin will trade for (and overpay for) a veteran closer.

[jjfanec]

I would think Broxton will close in LA. So I don't know why Hoffman would go to LA if he can't close. Hopefully that will make the Brewers the front runners.

I actually think this exactly why Hoffman's agent told Tom Huadicourt they were "working to make Hoffman a Brewer" He will close in Milwaukee which hopefully trumps geography.