Brewers, Dodgers Pursuing Hoffman

11:27pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Brewers have emerged as the frontrunner for Hoffman.

10:19pm: Bill Shaikin says Hoffman will make his decision Thursday.  Kevin Towers said tonight that the Padres "just don’t have the money" to retain their longtime closer.  He added that if Hoffman would’ve accepted their $4MM offer they it would’ve been hard to exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option.

9:07pm: Tom Haudricourt spoke with Doug Melvin and Melvin believes that the Brewers have a legitimate shot at landing Hoffman.  He does not believe the team is not being used to drive up the offer from the Dodgers. Melvin is confident based on his previous work with agent Rick Thurman. Melvin and Thurman have agreed to speak again tomorrow morning.

4:11pm: Jon Heyman believes the Brewers are making a stronger move for Hoffman.

3:36pm: Both offers from the Dodgers and Brewers are for one year with a club option, and both exceed $4MM.  Hoffman’s agent (Rick Thurman) expects to have a deal within 48 hours.  A requirement of Hoffman signing is that he is the closer.  The Brewers have not heard back today from Thurman yet.

11:19am: Brown has confirmed that the Brewers made an offer as well.

WEDNESDAY, 8:43am: Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times says the Dodgers offered Hoffman a one-year contract worth more than $4MM.  Hoffman would take the ninth inning in L.A.  Buster Olney confirms the one-year offer as well, but neither Olney nor Shaikin mention the club option Brown did.

TUESDAY, 11:11pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Dodgers offered Hoffman a one-year deal with a club option.  Brown suspects the Brewers have made an offer as well.  Hoffman is "thought to prefer Southern California," though he might have to take a setup role in L.A.  At this point, the Padres have not reconciled with Hoffman or restored their offer.

8:16pm: Haudricourt says the Brewers have to battle geography if they hope to win the Hoffman sweepstakes.

6:37pm: Hoffman is in discussion with the Brewers over the "parameters of a contract" according to Ken Rosenthal. His source, who has knowledge of the negotiations, says, "It’s got legs."

5:37pm: Jon Heyman echoes the Brewers and Dodgers are in the running and that Hoffman "could sign in coming days." Heyman reiterates Hoffman’s interest to say close to his "home base" in Anaheim, CA.

1:21pm: Hoffman’s agent says they have mutual interest with the Brewers, though Haudricourt got the impression they may seek two years.

10:13am: Tom Haudricourt talked to Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who indicated Trevor Hoffman is the team’s top choice to fill the closer role.  The two sides have talked parameters and Melvin hopes to learn his chances soon as discussions continue.  The Brewers’ main competition might be the Dodgers, but Hoffman would have a lock on the ninth inning in Milwaukee.  Haudricourt believes the Brewers want to do a one-year deal with an option.