Comments on: Trevor Hoffman wants to pitch, but “the offers are sparse”

By: WhenMattStairsIsKing

WhenMattStairsIsKing — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:36:19 +0000

If you haven’t gotten the game out of your system yet, go play.

By: b7p19

b7p19 — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 21:27:33 +0000

All I know is as a Padres fan I was lucky to be able to watch Hoffman pitch for so long. ERA+ comparisons are for GM’s and HOF arguments. My memories of watching Trevor mow down batters during those rare Padre wins is much more important than whether he was statistically better than Wagner. Do whatever you want Trevor, you’ve earned that right. Your legacy is safe with your fans.

By: bc666

bc666 — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 21:10:02 +0000

Just let it go Hoffman. You’ve had a HOF career. Don’t go out trying to hold on to the past.

By: fribnit

fribnit — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:50:46 +0000

Also, in the same time period Hoffman had 7 seasons of 90% or better and Wagner had 4. SO that is some PEAK Hoffman had

By: fribnit

fribnit — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:40:28 +0000

Mark,

you are crunching stats and not looking at effectiveness and that is measured by save %.
Hoffman: 92.6% of save opportunities converted.
Wagner: 88.6% of save opportunities converted.

Give me the guy that got it done

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:15:33 +0000

Just friggin retire. please see Smoltz, John

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:11:58 +0000

I’m not sure how you can make the argument that Hoffman’s peak was better, when Wagner beats him in ERA+ 187 to 141. Wagner wins in K:BB (3.99 to 3.69), K/9, (11.9 to 9.4), FIP (2.73 to 3.08). Hoffman’s best years were what, 265 and 226 by ERA+? Wagner has 4 seasons better than 265.

Hoffman’s best stretch was from what, 96-2006? If we go by that his ERA+ jumps to 162 – which is still less than Wagner’s career ERA+.

I’m not going to disagree on longevity as Hoffman won that. But I don’t see any way to show that Hoffman had a better peak. The only edge I’d give to Hoffman are counting stats like saves and IP, but that proves he had the better longevity than a better peak.

By: fribnit

fribnit — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:40:46 +0000

I would argue that Hoffman’s Peak was better and longer than Wagner’s (but it is close)

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:34:55 +0000

I’d take Wagner over Hoffman but that’s because I value peak more than longevity.

By: jobooo

jobooo — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:06:12 +0000

How not to solicit offers from MLB teams: Publicly state you haven’t bothered working out at all this offseason.

By: pisano

pisano — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:54:34 +0000

Very well put, as the saying goes “Get out while the gettins good”

By: fribnit

fribnit — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:48:46 +0000

When the conversation comes to Greatest of All Time for closers there are only two names: Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera.

I would Beg Mr. Hoffman to retire if I had the opportunity to do so. Retire while the memory of his brilliance is unclouded by two of three years of mediocrity.

I would BEG him to retire now while the memories are of him shutting teams down and making great hitter look silly chasing the change-up not of an old man trying to hang on too long.