No More Trevor Time

On May 18th, 2010, Trevor Hoffman's career officially died. Sorry Trevor, you are a Hall of Famer a great guy and were fantastic for the Brewers in 2009. But here in 2010, it is over. And it ended in the blink of an eye.

Single
HR
Double
Walk
Single

Good Night.

Trevor now has an ERA of 13.15 with a WHIP of 2.15. Not to mention a BA against of .356. 5 blown saves, 1-3 record, 8 K's and 7 BB's. You hate to give up on a guy with his credentials, but you can't continue to put him out there with the game on the line when he has been this bad. The Brewers had lost 7 straight (now 8 straight), had a very well pitched game from Manny Parra/Marco Estrada and it was all ruined within a matter of minutes. I believe the time is NOW for Zach Braddock. Braddock figures to be the closer next season anyway, and the Brewers are 9 games under .500, so what could it hurt giving Braddock the ball now?

Ketih Law Chat ESPN.com 10/22/09

Keith Law is one of my absolute favorite baseball writers. He is very smart, informative and kind of funny in a snarky kind of way. I read as much of his stuff as I can, although without a ESPN Insider subscription that can be difficult. Keith does these chats and in his most recent there were a few Brewers related questions/answers. Check them out:

James (Kenosha,Wi)

What is your take on Jonathan Lucroy do you think he would be ready to take over the Brewers catcher spot by June?

Klaw

(1:15 PM)

They've got an interesting dilemma with him and Salome. Neither one looks like a star; Lucroy is definitely a catcher, probably a 50 (solid average regular), while Salome has more bat potential but may not be able to catch. I'd probably let Salome start 2010 in the majors and send Lucroy to AAA. (By the way, how awful was that Trevor Hoffman extension? Extremely fluky HR rate gets you $8 million? 10% or more of the team's payroll for a one-inning closer, and not a good one? Wow.)

Russ (Balt Md)

Bret Lawrie question. Is he an impact bat in MLB? Ive heard he's playing 2B, is this Big News for his value, if true?How is he progressing? 2011 callup?

Klaw

(1:18 PM)

He really has no position. Good bat, potentially a special bat, but he might end up in LF.

Ryan (madison,wi)

Who says no: Fielder for Kemp?

Klaw

(1:35 PM)

Dodgers. With howls of derisive laughter.

He seems right on about Lucroy and Salome. I personally like Lucroy more. Think he will be better defensively and be fine offensively. As for his side note on Hoffman being a bad signing I couldn't disagree more. $8 mill for a proven closer who is coming off a fantastic year when you have no option around even close to as good, I don't see any issue with that. Maybe he doesn't remember what the Brewers went through with Gagne/Torres in 2008, you were never safe with a lead. With Hoffman I feel safe.

Brett Lawrie may very well end up in LF, with Braun moving to RF at some point. But for now I think the Brewers intend to keep him at 2B. He had some issues there, I went to a few Rattlers games this past season and he played really well in the game I saw. Turned two well and showed good range. When I hear the term "potentially special bat" with Lawrie it sure gets me excited for what this kid might turn out to be. He is only 19. A Fielder for Kemp trade? He says Dodgers would laugh at the Brewers. Why? Yes Kemp is a 5 tool talent, but Fielder is one of the top 5 hitters in all of the game. That would be a pretty even deal I think. But I don't think either team would do it at this point. It's a hypothetical deal. Not even a rumor to it.

"News and Notes" Video Blog

Reader Poll Results

"Who should be the 8th inning guy when Hoffman comes of the DL?"

Todd Coffey: 85% (12 Votes)

Carlos Villanueva: 14% (2 Votes)

Jorge Julio: 0% (0Votes)

If Hoffman Starts The Year On The DL.....

Seth McClung my get the save opportunities. This according to ESPN's Buster Olney. I really hope this is true. Before the Brewers signed Trevor Hoffman and it was up in the air on who would be the closer I was very outspoken that McClung should get the opportunity. Then we signed Hoffman and I was happy with that. But with Hoffman possibly missing the first few weeks of the season with this oblique strain I think Seth should be option one. He has the closer mentality and the closer "stuff". This would be a great little audition for McClung so after this season or next when Hoffman is gone we could have our closer in waiting. Of course best case scenario is that Hoffman recovers quick and doesn't have to go on the DL. But right now that seems unlikely from everything I have heard and read.

The Brewers Have Their 2009 Closer And He Is The All-Time Saves Leader

It became official today (pending a physical of course) but the Brewers have signed the all-time saves leader and future HOF Trevor Hoffman (554 saves) to a 1 year deal worth $6 mill with another $1.5 mill in incentives. I think it's a great deal for the Brewers. They fill their closer needs with the best ever. Sure he has just turned 41 but had been very good still the last few years. I expect good things from Hoffman in 09'. I think he will be better then Gagne or Torres was in 08'. It came down to the Dodgers or the Brewers for Hoffman and he chose to leave the west coast where he calls home and played in San Diego for 16 years to come to the heart of the Midwest. Bottom line, the Brewers made the bigger push. Manager Ken Macha, trainer Roger Caplinger and players Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall all contacted Hoffman about coming to Milwaukee. Just awesome, the Brewers will have a presser once Hoffman passes the physical which should not be a problem. I heard in various interviews on the radio today with baseball media that Hoffman keeps himself in top physical condition, a work out freak.

I can't wait the first time I'm at Miller Park this season and I get to hear AC/DC's "Hells Bells" as Hoffman the future HOF walks out of the bullpen in a Brewers uniform to shut down another team. It is going to be fantastic. Now Doug Melvin if you wouldn't mind, go sign a starting pitcher like Ben Sheets, Jon Garland or Braden Looper. Thanks Doug, we appreciate it.

Hoffman And Brewers "Close"

According to MLB.com the Brewers and all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman are very "close" on a deal. According to the source it is very close to happening. Hopefully it will be official sometime today.

AC/DC Could Be Blaring Through Speakers At Miller Park In 2009

Yup, "Hells Bells" by AC/DC could be a song you hear quite often at Brewers home games in 2009, specifically when the Brewers have leads going into the top of the 9th. The all-time saves leader in MLB Trevor Hoffman is now a serious target for Doug Melvin and the Crew. Melvin had talks today with Hoffman's agent Rick Thurman who told the Journal Sentinel that the interest is mutual between the Brewers and Hoffman. Hoffman is 41 so the age factor is there, he is probably seeking a 2 year deal for around $7-$9 mill per year. The Dodgers are also said to have had serious talks with Thurman about Hoffman. But it is said that Hoffman wants to close, something he would not do in LA because of Jonathan Broxton, that should give the Brewers a small edge.

Personally I hope we get the deal done. Closer is a need for the club and Hoffman although 41 still seems to have gas in the tank. He converted 30 of 34 save chances in 2008, had an ERA of 3.77, WHIP of 1.037 and 46 K's to only 9 BB's in 45.3 innings pitched. I don't think signing a 41 year old who just came off a good season to a two year deal would be to risky. Cant be anymore risky then signing Eric Gagne to a 1 year $10 mill contract, could it? Talks between Thurman and Melvin should continue tomorrow, hopefully a deal will be struck shortly after.