Where will Hoffman end up?

[PlayingWithFire]

Padres for 8 million a season.

you know who's running the Padres right?

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[1337_Dude]

I would think that he should go back to San Diego. It just seems the best place for him to end his career. Though I think the Indians should do everything they can to pry him away from the Pads. If they were to get him I could easily see them taking the wild-card spot or even the division.

[armstrong]

I think Hoffman will end up right here in Cleveland.


The Indians and Trevor Hoffman could be nearing an agreement on a three-year deal worth $21 million-$24 million, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.
Hoffman is 38 and he still has a damaged shoulder, but if three years is the only thing that's going to lure him away from San Diego, that's what GM Mark Shapiro thinks he needs to do. Hoffman is certainly a far better bet for 2006 than any of the other relievers still on the market. Dec. 5 - 7:07 pm et
Source: FOXSports.com

[eftda]

Atlanta or SD.

[BravesGuy]

The Indians and Trevor Hoffman could be nearing an agreement on a three-year deal worth $21 million-$24 million, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.
Hoffman is 38 and he still has a damaged shoulder, but if three years is the only thing that's going to lure him away from San Diego, that's what GM Mark Shapiro thinks he needs to do. Hoffman is certainly a far better bet for 2006 than any of the other relievers still on the market. Dec. 5 - 7:07 pm et
Source: FOXSports.com

I read the same thing here
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2005/12/b ... ffman.html

[HOOTIE]

I think the Indians should do everything they can to pry him away from the Pads. If they were to get him I could easily see them taking the wild-card spot or even the division.

Hoffman wasn't any better then Wickman last year. Both tied in Win Share, and Wickman had a better era. I don't see Hoffman being a big addition. He no longer would have the home park advantage (Qualcomm/Petco), plus he will command too many years, and $.

[BronXBombers51]

Cleveland making a big push...

Better hurry up Towers...

[1337_Dude]

Hoffman wasn't any better then Wickman last year. Both tied in Win Share, and Wickman had a better era. I don't see Hoffman being a big addition. He no longer would have the home park advantage (Qualcomm/Petco), plus he will command too many years, and $.

Wickman was very good last year, but overall that was his career year. While that was a prettty much normal year for Hoffman. The moving away from San Diego doesn't worry me too much as he was a little better on the road actually. Plus theres a psychological factor. When Wickman comes on you're worried about what he'll do to mess it up, Hoffman gives you the feeling that he'll get the job done. I do agree that he'll probably get too many years for too much money, but I would argue that that is the case for most pitchers this year.

[HOOTIE]

The home park is a factor. Even though Hoffman beat the trend last year, here is his career splits.

Home 2.47 era
Road 3.09 era

Home whip .097
Road whip 1.15

Still good road numbers, but there's no question he loses the park advantage.

Wickman had his best year in number of saves, but actually had 2 better years of era+.

Hoffman might feel safer, but i don't see Hoffman as the difference between Tribe in playoffs or not.

[1337_Dude]

That was a mistake on my part. I looked at the wrong stat page when I got his home/away splits. What I was trying to point out was Wickman pretty much has to have a career year to match what Hoffman does on pretty much a yearly basis. I also don't think his signing would be the sole reason that would push the Tribe into the playoffs, but I do think that Hoffman's signing plus another year of maturation on the part of the offense would be a big step.