Hoffman talking to Brewers/Dodgers

[BitterDodgerFan]

can't imagine him in dodger blue, he's like the most beloved padre. that said, i'd rather have him closing than broxton. i don't trust him in the 9th.

[stumpak]

Broxton is a shaky closer, and maybe not the guy you want on a team that aspires to the pennant. That said, Hoffman is not a slam dunk to be much of an improvement and carries his own risk. In other words, the Dodgers will be stuck with two sub-optimal options, which is classic Colletti. At least these guys cost less than Jones/Pierre and could contribute in other ways.

It's not that Hoffman is better than Broxton, it's whether or not he's better than their current 7th/8th inning options. It doesn't matter who is actually the closer, what is important is the the whole bullpen.

Good point, but but it looks like it is moot now. Hoffman is a better bet than Jorge Julio, that much I know:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Career saves leader Trevor Hoffman is closing in on a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the sides are near an agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn't been completed Wednesday night.

The 41-year-old Hoffman had pitched for the San Diego Padres since 1993, but the team recently withdrew its offer for next season.

Hoffman posted 30 saves last season, then became a free agent. The NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers showed considerable interest in the right-hander, but he instead was set to pick the pitching-needy Brewers.

Milwaukee won the NL wild card last year and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia. Bolstering the bullpen was a big need for the Brewers this winter -- Salomon Torres, who led the team with 28 saves, retired and reliever Eric Gagne filed for free agency.

The Brewers recently signed reliever Jorge Julio, but kept looking for help.

Hoffman converted 30 of 34 chances last season, increasing his saves record to 554. The face of the Padres' franchise since Tony Gwynn retired, Hoffman had once hoped to hear AC/DC's Hells Bells in San Diego for the rest of his career.

Contract talks with the Padres soured, however, and the team pulled its offer of $4 million for 2009 with a club option for $4 million in 2010.

San Diego finished last in the NL West, 21 games behind the Dodgers.

Hoffman was 3-6 with a 3.77 ERA in 48 games. He has saved at least 30 games in 13 seasons, another major league record, relying on a wicked changeup

[William Shea]

Wow,

it will be tuff for him to close in Miller Park instead of Petco.

[Havok1517]

Wow,

it will be tuff for him to close in Miller Park instead of Petco.

I'm not sure Hoffman can last in a hitters park like Miller. I'd probably stay away.

[jlm53089]

I think Hoffman will do as good as he lets himself do.
I mean when he is on no one can touch him, but his lack of confience since last year might hurt him.
If he can keep a level head I think he will do just fine.

2.20 ERA 30 SVs 55 Ks 1.00 WHIP
Thats my projection for him.

[Snakes Gould]

I think Hoffman will do as good as he lets himself do.
I mean when he is on no one can touch him, but his lack of confience since last year might hurt him.
If he can keep a level head I think he will do just fine.

im going to disagree with this. he isnt the same pitcher anymore. its as simple as that. hes still effective, but he isnt dominating and hasnt been the 2 years.
your projections are way off base. you're predicting him to have his best year ERA wise since 1998 and one of his best WHIP years?

[Neato Torpedo]

2.20 ERA 30 SVs 55 Ks 1.00 WHIP
Thats my projection for him.

Considering that he put up a 3.77 mark in Petco of all places...

[Havok1517]

I think Hoffman will do as good as he lets himself do.
I mean when he is on no one can touch him, but his lack of confience since last year might hurt him.
If he can keep a level head I think he will do just fine.

2.20 ERA 30 SVs 55 Ks 1.00 WHIP
Thats my projection for him.

I say his ERA and Whip raise no matter what and I worry about him breaking down almost as much I do him pitching at Miller.

[Snakes Gould]

his career split home/away stats (a lot not in petco) favor him pitching at home certainly, but i think he'll be fine in miller park

Home: 2.52 ERA 0.97 WHIP .203 BAA
Away: 3.09 ERA 1.15 WHIP .217 BAA

[Niffoc4]

There goes the Carlos Villanueva sleeper closer bandwagon... or in Havok's case I guess it just means he can get him a few rounds later. I guess that's what I'll do in my 20-team league, though I'll feel bad betting that a guy like Hoffman will fail.