Hoffman Claimed
Milwaukee, WI – Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman was placed on waivers and claimed by another team
but Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said Friday he had not had any trade discussions involving the career saves leader.
Melvin declined to say which club claimed the 41-year-old Hoffman, but ESPN.com reported it was the San Francisco Giants.
“I did talk to Trevor about my feelings about him being claimed,” Melvin said before the Brewers played the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. “But I haven’t talked to the team that claimed him.”
Milwaukee can work out a deal to trade Hoffman to the club that claimed him, assign him to that team for no compensation or pull him back off waivers. If Hoffman is pulled back, the Brewers can’t trade him for the rest of the season.
“He’s wearing our uniform now,” Melvin said. “I hope we can use him more than we’ve been able to use him. That’s the ultimate goal.”
fseason because the team probably would receive more value in draft pick compensation if those players sign elsewhere than it would get back now.
The Brewers appear to have interest in re-signing their closer next season. Hoffman is 1-1 with a 1.85 ERA this year, converting 27 saves in 29 chances. He had a major league-record 581 saves going into Friday night’s game.
“If you want to compete, you’ve got to have a closer,” Melvin said.
Hoffman, who spent 16 years with the San Diego Padres, said he had never before been placed on waivers.
“I’ve never done it,” he said. “There’s nothing to worry about. Just go out and play.”
Posted: 8/28/09 10:08PM ET
