Agent: Hoffman era likely over in San Diego

"Trevor's unhappy with the way they've dealt with the situation," Thurman said. "I think if they didn't want him back, they should have just said they want to go a different direction, go younger, or, `Listen, we're going to cut payroll,' and sit down and have a man-to-man, face-to-face talk with him. I think he deserves that respect. Any player deserves it, but this is Trevor Hoffman. He's meant a lot to that organization."

Hoffman does deserve a certain level of respect, but I think Alderson believes he deserves espect as well and a player shouldn't try to go over his head and around the chain of command.

Thurman said Towers told him there were "some unhappy people in the organization" because details of the Padres' offer were reported in the media.

"I said, 'This is an excuse. You guys never wanted to re-sign him in the first place,'" Thurman said.

These arguments sure sound petty and childish coming from a bunch of professionals.  Tom Krasovic of the UT said that Alderson had considered not re-signing Hoffman, before the offer was made.

"I said, 'What happened with the meeting with the three of you guys?' And he said, 'Well, when I told Sandy you guys wanted to have a meeting, he said no.' I said, 'Oh really, so you guys have been sitting on this for two weeks then?'"

This relationship between Hoffman and the Padres certainly is icy.

Hat Tip: Gaslamp Baller Wonko