Hoffman another Dodgers consideration
Among the free agents the Dodgers have cursory interest in to add leadership to the pitching staff is former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, even at age 41.
The Dodgers have concerns about 39-year-old closer Takashi Saito, who missed two months with a serious elbow injury and was left off the roster for the NLCS. They also are losing free-agent relievers Joe Beimel and Chan Ho Park, which could leave a bullpen with nothing but young pitchers like part-time closer Jonathan Broxton, Cory Wade, Hong-Chih Kuo, Ramon Troncoso, Eric Stults, James McDonald, Scott Elbert and Scott Proctor (coming off arm surgery).
So in addition to what Hoffman might add on the mound as MLB's all-time saves leader, he could inherit the role of senior statesman and mentor from his former Padres teammate Greg Maddux, who served as a consummate leader to the Dodgers' young pitching staff whether he was starting or relieving. One question tough to answer is how Hoffman would handle a reduced role should performance dictate.
Other veterans the Dodgers are said to have varying levels of interest include Randy Johnson, Andy Pettitte and Russ Springer. -- Ken Gurnick
Oh no not the Dodgers!!!!! He needs to go to the AL. I don't want the Padres to have to face Trevor so much!! ugh....
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Well, I have been a Padres fan for a number of years and would prefer to have Trevor on my team than on the opponents team, even at his age; but, it looks like (team owner) Moores is on a real austerity binge. I mean, when they are actively trying to deal Peavy and not so quietly looking to move Greene and not in the bidding for any free agents they are obviously not setting themselves up to be contenders in 2009. It's a good thing the Angels are not too far up the road, I would hate to have to become a Dodgers fan (just joking about the Dodgers fan thing).
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There is a good chance that Hoffman could fit in the Dodger bullpen, since Saito is uncertain and now that we've lost the veteran Maddox in the area. But I'd think he'd have to wait around awhile to see how Saito, Broxton and possibly Wade & Troncoso fair.
I think the Hoffmans are fine baseball people, I rather liked Glenn as coach and manager of the team.
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It's a good move for the Dodgers I'd say to get Hoffman. A deal on the lower end with plenty of performance incentives to boost his pay. I love the chances, though they are few, to watch Trevor Hoffman pitch. Everytime I hear Hell's Bells I think of him coming out to get the save. The Dodgers would like to have another future Hall-of-Famer on their staff to help their young guys, and they do have a lot of those, and Trevor, always the competitor, wants to go out there and get the outs. I'm sure he understands that he is no longer in that elite of elite class of closer, but I still can't think of a guy who would choose to stare down Hoffman with the game on the line.
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