Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Brian Giles

Brewers, Dodgers Pursuing Hoffman

By | at

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.

Perrotto’s Latest: Peavy, Giles, Wilson, Putz

By | at

MONDAY: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times found no indications the Rays have talked with the Padres and Cubs about getting in on the Peavy talks to acquire Giles.

SUNDAY: The latest from Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto:

  • Perrotto speaks of a "wild rumor" – the Rays could be the third team in a Jake Peavy-Cubs trade, with Tampa Bay acquiring Brian Giles.  Would he waive his no-trade clause to play there?  One way or another, Kevin Towers wants five players back for Peavy.
  • The Tigers are backing off Jack Wilson, as they consider Adam Everett his equal.  They’d like to use Jeff Larish in a trade for Michigan native J.J. Putz if possible.

Odds and Ends: Teixeira, Giles, Beimel

By | at

Links for Wednesday…

The Trevor Hoffman Situation

By | at

In a post on his blog, Padres exec Paul DePodesta outlines the progression of the Trevor Hoffman negotiations (and also explains why exercising Brian Giles’ option was an easy call).  Tom Krasovic also provides details, including quotes from Hoffman’s agent Rick Thurman.

  • Thurman believes the $4MM offer for ’09 (with a club option at the same salary for ’10) was insincere.  He feels the Padres never intended to sign Hoffman and calls the chances of a deal "miniscule."  Hoffman is also upset that owner John Moores did not want to meet with him.  Plus, Thurman seems annoyed that Towers contacted Hoffman directly regarding the Moores meeting.
  • On the Padres’ side, CEO Sandy Alderson notes that the offer was not of the "take it or leave it" variety and it is not common let an offer sit for a prolonged period of time.  Thurman did not a make a counteroffer, and the Padres never wanted these negotiations to be public.
  • This is not a black and white situation.  While the Padres’ initial offer was low, the two sides could’ve kept things private and met in the middle in the $5.75MM range.  I also think Moores should’ve been willing to meet with Hoffman, as this is not a normal player negotiation.
  • If Hoffman does leave, Thurman considers the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Mets, Indians, Angels, and Rangers potential suitors.  Why no mention of the Tigers?  Jim Baumbach likes Hoffman for the Mets.

Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Zaun, Blanco

By | at

Links for Tuesday…

Olney: A’s Nearly Acquired Giles

By | at

Interesting note from Buster Olney’s Sunday blog post:

San Diego nearly dealt Brian Giles to Boston and later to Oakland during the season, and it stands to reason that this winter the Padres will approach Giles about waiving his no-trade rights to facilitate a trade out of San Diego. (As of Saturday evening, they had not done this.)

We knew that Giles vetoed a trade to Boston and would’ve probably done the same if the Rays won the claim.  Olney indicates that Giles was nearly dealt to the A’s later during August, which is confusing given that Boston won the claim and failed to make a trade.

Giles now has full no-trade powers as a 10-and-5 player, and apparently receives a $2MM raise if dealt.  He revealed new information regarding his Boston veto on Friday.  He would’ve spent significant time on the bench for the Red Sox, and the Sox would’ve turned around and traded him this winter.  Furthermore, staying with San Diego allowed Giles to secure the 10-and-5 rights.  He seems more open to a deal now: "If it would help our organization get better, I’m not saying I would veto a trade." 

Padres Exercise Brian Giles’ Option

By | at

As expected, the Padres chose Brian Giles’ $9MM option over the $3MM buyout today.  Giles, 38 in January, hit .306/.398/.456 in 653 plate appearances this year.  Defensively, he saved 20 bases compared to the average right fielder.  Padres exec Paul DePodesta notes that Giles probably would’ve accepted an offer of arbitration.

Giles would be a great addition for teams like the Cubs, Phillies, Braves, and Rays, but he has full no-trade power.  Before he was granted full rights, Giles could be traded only to the Braves, Giants, Dodgers, D’Backs, and Rockies without his permission.  So maybe the Padres can work something out with Atlanta if the Braves if both parties have interest.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke

By | at

Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.

  • The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
  • Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal.  They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
  • Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies.  It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
  • Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds.  The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
  • There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
  • The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions.  Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him.  Keith Law said the same yesterday.
  • The Padres will exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option in the next day or two.

Padres Rumors: Hoffman, Giles

By | at

Padres GM Kevin Towers has more on his plate than just Jake Peavy and Khalil Greene – he also has to deal with Trevor Hoffman and Brian Giles.

Towers talked to Hoffman’s agent about a week ago; he submitted an offer two weeks ago.  ESPN’s Buster Olney said the offer was $4MM for ’09 and a club option for ’10.

The Padres have until Saturday to make a decision on Giles’ $9MM option (it has a $3MM buyout).  Towers says he’s leaning toward exercising it before the weekend.

Odds and Ends: Yankees, Lowe, D’Backs

By | at

Links for Thursday…

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top