Trevor Hoffman - Articles - Zimbio

Hells Bells Done in San Diego? Trevor Time May Be Over

Tue, 12 Nov 2008 07:20:57 GMT

posted by sdfan21

Trevor Hoffman has been a San Diego Padre for 16 iconic years and when AC/DC's "Hells Bells" blasted over the speakers of Qualcomm Stadium or Petco Park, fans knew it was "Trevor Time".

The all-time leader in saves with 554 may have seen his days as a Padre come to an end. Hoffman, a free agent, wished to speak with owner John Moores to discuss his contract terms and the direction of the club but was denied by the Padres front office. CEO Sandy Alderson pulled the $4 million offer off the table. According to Hoffman's agent, the chances for him to return is 'minuscule'. Hoffman is 40 years-old and though he had 30 saves this past season, his 3.77 ERA was his highest since 1995. Though is his skills are diminishing, he continues to be an effective closer.

If this is it for Hoffman as a Padre, I'd like to thank him for what he brought to the fans of San Diego. He brought leadership, excitement, and most of all class, both on the field and in the community. Hoffy deserves better and though he should retire wearing a Padres uniform, the ownership and direction of the organization is not where it should be. I expect his statue to be next to Tony Gwynn's one day. Thanks Trevor! I will be there when they retire your #51 at Petco Park.

(Photo from eichelberger greg from flickr.com)

Indians could have interested in Trevor Hoffman

Tue, 12 Nov 2008 05:16:00 GMT

posted by mlbrumors

Trevor Hoffman is apparently available after the San Diego Padres withdrew a $4 million offer on Monday. The 41-year-old righty was 30-for-34 in save opportunities last year, and Rick Thurman, one of Hoffman's Beverly Hills-based agents, indicated his client is ready to explore the market. "A lot of teams need a closer," Thurman told MLB.com. "He's the cream of the closers, and we'll see what teams have interest in him."Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro, who expressed interest in Hoffman when he was a free agent three years ago, has said he would be interested in talking to Hoffman this time, too. Source: MLB.com

Ridiculous! Hoffman Sent Fax of Contract Withdrawal

Wed, 13 Nov 2008 07:14:14 GMT

posted by sdfan21

If this story is correct by Big League Stew of Yahoo! Sports and I assume it is, Trevor Hoffman was sent a fax to his representatives that his $4 million contract would be withdrawn. What is that? A fax?What kind of idiotic mind would do such a thing? It's called CEO Sandy Alderson and the Padres front office. Now I see why Trevor is pissed off right now.

How do you treat a guy who has been loyal to the organization for 16 years, who has been the face of the organization since Tony Gwynn's retirement, who was respected by teammates for his leadership, and who has shown class through charitable events and organizations in the communities of San Diego. This story makes me ashamed to be a Padres fan and it's tough to swallow.

Baseball is a business and that's understandable but Trevor Hoffman has earned the respect for his loyalty and for all that his accomplishments. John Moores, Sandy Alderson, and Kevin Towers (though I think Towers is a pawn in this) took a cowardly approach in trying to improve a collapsing organization.

Hells Bells may not ring at Petco ever again, but all hell is ready to break loose if the team is not ready to compete in 2009.

Trevor Hoffman parting ways with Padres

Mon, 11 Nov 2008 15:40:20 GMT

posted by dnuka
Trevor Hoffman, the Major League career saves leader, could be finished as a member of the San Diego Padres.
General manager Kevin Towers confirmed on Monday that the Padres withdrew their contract offer to Hoffman for 2009. The contract proposal for the 41-year-old Hoffman was for $4 million.

Hoffman, after a shaky start in 2008, had a typical season for him, saving 30 games in 34 opportunities, including 16 in a row at one point. The Padres, though, lost 99 games, and Hoffman threw a career low of 45 1/3 innings during a healthy season because the situations just didn't present themselves for him to pitch. He made $7.5 million last season.

Hoffman's Padres career began with the June 24, 1993, trade that sent him to San Diego and Gary Sheffield to the Marlins. All except two of his 554 saves were recorded in a San Diego uniform.

Could Trevor Hoffman Be an Option?

Sun, 10 Nov 2008 12:00:09 GMT

posted by msilva177

Yesterday, Buster Olney did a story about a possible San Diego Padres “fire sale” this off season. We already know that Jake Peavy will be dealt, but there could be much more to come. The following is an excerpt from Olney’s column:

It’s very possible that in the days ahead, the face of the franchise, Trevor Hoffman — who arrived in San Diego 185 months ago, in the midst of the Fire Sale — will cut ties with the team. The Padres offered Hoffman a $4 million deal last month, which would be a $3 million reduction in salary from what he made in 2008, and friends of the pitcher wonder if San Diego is merely looking to politely nudge him out the door. Hoffman has responded by asking for a meeting with club ownership to discuss the future of the franchise.

I discussed this with Howard Megdal on the show last night. Howard was inclined to pass on Hoffman, and I tend to agree. With the thin availability of closers the possibilities exists that a closer-less team might need to turn to the 40 year old. Although, as Howard said, the Mets already have a ton of pitchers that don’t pitch well opposite their throwing side. Hoffman falls into this category (lefties hit .291 against him last season). Regardless, you can’t ignore the experience that 554 career saves brings to the table.