Hoffman and Padres still not talking

by jbox on Dec 22, 2008 10:39 PM PST

CEO Sandy Alderson said Monday that the Padres have had no contact recently with free agent closer Trevor Hoffman or his agent. The Padres in November withdrew a one-year, $4 million offer they had made to Hoffman following the 2008 season.

Back on December 3rd, Sandy Alderson said that "hopefully there will be a line of communication at some point" and Alderson seems to get it that this silent feud is aboslutely ridiculous and it is only hurting all the parties involved. He even says that more direct efforts have been made and will be made. In his next interview I guess someone just needs to pin him down for some sort of timeline for when he and the Padres plan on making that direct contact. It's like pulling teeth with these guys.

If the Padres didn't want to re-sign Hoffman I think just about every fan would understand, even if they did have emotional ties. If you watched any of his appearances in the last couple of years you can clearly see that he is not the dominant force that he once was. This is not to say that the Padres wouldn't benefit from having him the bullpen and clubhouse because he can still hold his own with the better half of the relief pitchers in the league.

With the payroll cutbacks and effort to go in a younger direction it would have been easy to just explain to Hoffman that they couldn't bring him back while keeping a working relationship with him in the future. Their number one priority should have been to not ruin that relationship. Whoever's side you're on, whether it's Hoffman's or the Padres', both sides would benefit if they just communicated. Here's the beauty of it too, they still can.

At this time the ball is in the Padres' court, they pulled the contract it's their move. No more back channel attempts, no more vague explanations about semantics, just make the call.

Poll

Should the Padres contact Hoffman or his agent in attempt to mend their relationship?

Yes

74 votes

They should continue to say they will but then never actually do it

18 votes

No

14 votes

106 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

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by Axion on Dec 22, 2008 11:35 PM PST reply actions

Ugh

If the Padres didn’t want to re-sign Hoffman I think just about every fan would understand, even if they did have emotional ties.

You are downright delusional if you think that is an accurate quote. No matter how this went down people would still be up in arms over “not bringing back my little hoffy schmoffy poffy”.

With the payroll cutbacks and effort to go in a younger direction it would have been easy to just explain to Hoffman that they couldn’t bring him back while keeping a working relationship with him in the future.

Once again delusional comment. Hoffy would have been crying to the media…like he already has been…..and how he did when “his good buddy Scott Linebrink” was traded (even though that deal improved our team)….and how he did during the last contract negotiations…..Wah wah wah nobody loves me.

At this time the ball is in the Padres’ court, they pulled the contract it’s their move. No more back channel attempts, no more vague explanations about semantics, just make the call.

Why should the Padres call? Are you insinuating that this is all their fault? It seems to me like the ball is in Hoffys court. If he truly wants to come back to his “beloved” team then he would make the call.

I don’t buy any of this Hoffy is innocent crap that I read everywhere. Yes I admit some of the stuff that has happened this off-season is the FO fault but this I place 100% of the fault on Hoffman and Thurman…..it was complete BS how they handled this situation and for that I could give a rats ass if he were to ever wear a Padre uni again.

by SDPads_1 on Dec 23, 2008 7:14 AM PST reply actions

double ugh

You’re talking crazy and you’re missing the point. The fault lies with both parties and your insanely delusional if you think this lies 100% with Hoffman. The Padres could be studied for years for how poorly they handled the PR part of this negotiation.

by jbox on Dec 23, 2008 8:30 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

OK

99.9% to Trevor and his agent and .1% lies with the Pads.

What did the Padres do wrong besides not giving the almighty, the oh great, the most powerful, the ever wonderful Trevor a “deadline”. Come on everyone is completely blinded by both their hatred for the front office and their love for Trevor.

by SDPads_1 on Dec 23, 2008 8:41 AM PST reply actions