The Quest For Relief: Bring Trevor Hoffman East?

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 11, 2008 10:00 AM EST in News Comment 13 comments

The Quest For Relief has now become very interesting. Last night, news broke out of San Diego that the Padres withdrew their contract offer to Trevor Hoffman, which effectively ends negotiations and puts the pitcher on the free agent market.

The 41-year-old Hoffman has been the Padres' closer for the past 15 years and is Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader with 554. Last year, he compiled 30 saves, along with a 3.77 ERA and 46 strikeouts (and just nine walks) in 45 1/3 innings.

Hoffman's 2008 salary was $7 million, and the Padres were looking to cut that paycheck almost in half, offering him a $4 million deal with incentives. The offer also included a $4 million club option for 2010. His career-high ERA combined with a career-low number of innings over a full season surely influenced San Diego's offer, in addition to having a replacement (Heath Bell) already in-house.

However, the general sentiment around baseball seemed to be that Hoffman would stay with the Padres because he's essentially the face of their team.

Could the Detroit Tigers be interested in signing Hoffman to be a one-to-two-year stopgap, much as they did with Todd Jones in 2006? As Jon Paul Morosi points out, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has some prior experience with Hoffman, having selected him in the 1992 expansion draft while in charge of the Florida Marlins. (Hoffman was eventually dealt to the Padres the next season - part of a trade for Gary Sheffield, believe it or not - and you know how the rest of the story goes.)

His strike-throwing approach would seem to fit right in with what Jim Leyland and Rick Knapp envision for next year's bullpen. And at the age of 41, Hoffman wouldn't be looking for a long-term deal, which could match up nicely with a team that thinks one of its hard-throwing pitching prospects could be ready to take over the closer's role in 2010.

If the Tigers don't pursue Hoffman, one of their AL Central rivals might. Hoffman almost signed with the Indians three years ago before going back to San Diego, and GM Mark Shapiro has said he'd once again be interested if available.

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Hoffman

Well Hoffman does throw strikes and if could pick him for 5 million why not. There is not a lot options for closer this year. Just wonder his 45 innings pitch last year will reduce even further next year.

by Barry2 on Nov 11, 2008 10:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Guys!

Hoffman likely won’t sign for $5m and even if he did why are we spending that money to get his name?

He’ll be 41 and has put up declining numbers since 2002. I’m sure everyone agrees that Cruz is still the better choice, but if we’re now considering Hoffman than Lyon has to look a lot more attractive.

Hoffman’s career strikeout rates are a lot better than Lyon’s but they are in decline. Lyon also has a better walk rate and HR rate than Hoffman. And judging by the decline in Hoffman’s workload, Lyon might be able to pitch up to 30 more innings than he would. Lyon also wouldn’t cost us a second round pick.

If we end up with Hoffman that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but he isn’t worth the money and I can virtually guarantee that some team will offer him $6 to $7 million to close for them next year. Hell, we paid Todd Jones $7m to close for us last year.

by MacRae on Nov 11, 2008 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Beat me to it...

Ian, you son-of-a-gun, I was all over this until you beat me to it. I think that Hoffman would be a great option for the Tigers. They just drafted all of those young flame-throwers who could be ready to close in 2010, Hoffman would provide a nice bridge to that era. They gave Todd Jones seven million dollars last year, why not offer Hoffman the same thing? I like this idea.

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Nov 11, 2008 11:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I really have to give Zappatista credit

He e-mailed me over the weekend about Hoffman, after which I started looking at the numbers. Then the Padres withdrew their contract offer, and this whole situation became a bit more interesting.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 11, 2008 11:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

“They gave Todd Jones seven million dollars last year, why not offer Hoffman the same thing?”

We remember what happened to 39 year old Todd Jones last year, right? I’m not saying Jones and Hoffman are the same caliber of pitcher, but paying $7m to an old declining closer turned out to be a disaster. Supporting signing a 41 year old declining closer by citing said disaster isn’t very comforting.

by MacRae on Nov 11, 2008 11:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

NL Pitchers

I worry a bit about all the interest in NL pitchers. Hoffman, Cruz, Lyon…they all look better pitching in the NL than they would in the AL. The AL is just a much tougher league to pitch in nowadays. Hell, Jason Grilli put up decent numbers in Colorado after leaving Detroit.

I remain high on Cruz due to his strikeout totals, but I’d prefer to see us go a guy or two that’s been good in the AL. Darren Oliver and Dennys Reyes, for example.

But I’d especially stay away from Hoffman. He’s been on the decline for a couple years now.

http://designaterobertson.blogspot.com

by Rogo on Nov 11, 2008 12:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Excellent point

That’s something I’ve been thinking, too. How much could NL pitchers struggle in the AL?

I remember reading an article at the end of the season that said the Yankees aren’t interested in anyone who hasn’t pitched in the AL before, because they believe the AL East especially provides much tougher competition.

Should the Tigers be thinking the same thing?

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 11, 2008 12:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Problem with Cruz

The main drawback with Cruz is, he will be very popular this free agent season and his contract might be outrageous. I do not think the Tigers will get into a bidding war for above average pitcher.

by Barry2 on Nov 11, 2008 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like this Idea

Why not bring him in? Sure, it could backfire, like the Troy Percival deal a few years ago, but that is the chance you take.

by dexter-sports on Nov 11, 2008 12:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

But not for the money and the loss of a second round pick.

Yes, getting Cruz means losing a second round pick too, but he won’t cost $7m.

And like Jones, Percival’s age caught up with him last year. If Hoffman was our last choice, fine, but next to Cruz and Lyon he isn’t that attractive for what he’d cost the team and the injury risk.

Going for NL relievers is a bit of a risk, sure, but I don’t see Oliver and Reyes as great alternatives. Both are lefthanded and Reyes has a significant platoon split. Oliver is equally mediocre against righties and lefties but he’ll be 38 next season.

This is one of the reasons why Cruz is the best option out of the three. He’ll be cheaper than Hoffman and his strong strikeout rates should transfer well into the AL.

by MacRae on Nov 11, 2008 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hate this idea

Look, he’s had a great career, but here’s a 41 year old pitcher who, since tearing his rotator cuff in 1995 has survives on a 88-90 mph fastball and a killer change. He pitches in he best pitchers park in the national league.

A 40 something closer who gets by on guile rather than stuff? I’m sorry, too much Todd Jones for me. I know he’s a better pitcher than Jones, but still, I have had my fill of soft tossers for now.

by ThaWalrus9 on Nov 11, 2008 8:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Can the Tigers hire him to teach Bondo the change-up?

I forgot to mention that in my post.

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 11, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not another...

closer who pitches to contact. Hoffman is a great guy and has had a great career, but I would rather take the chance on Cruz, for probably more money. Better stuff.

Boy, do I miss baseball. Even Tigers baseball.

by rook34 on Nov 11, 2008 10:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs