Would Trevor Hoffman Fix Anything in Milwaukee?

Various media outlets are reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers are the leader to sign all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman, 41, left the San Diego Padres after a disgracefully disrespectful handling of his contract.

The Brewers, who have a laundry list of problems with their pitching staff, which they are still working to address, have had a revolving door at the end of the bullpen over the past decade. Most recently, the failed experiment with former Dodger Eric Gagne was an unfortunate mistake.

But would Hoffman fix anything for the Brewers?

Reports are that the Brewers and Dodgers have both offered Hoffman a one-year deal with at least club options for a second; whether or not the Brewers were willing to guarantee the second season has not been verified.

Hoffman struggled early in 2008, going 1-5 with an ERA north of five before the All Star break. He would finish the season with 30 saves, however.

Milwaukee is trying to do more than fill the hole at the end of the bullpen. After the departures of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets to free agency, what was arguably the best one-two punch in the history of the franchise is now an enormous vacancy that has not yet been addressed.

Hoffman would join newly acquired Jorge Julio in a bullpen that features a handful of question marks. David Riske, Carlos Villanueva, and Seth McClung are the other top returners in the Milwaukee 'pen.

What would two years of Hoffman do for the Brewers, who also face the looming arbitration cases of youngsters like Prince Fielder? Last season, the Brewers went for broke in trading for Sabathia and came up short in the postseason.

While Hoffman has the October experience on his resume, he also has more than a few miles on his arm and isn't getting any younger.

If the Brewers do indeed win the Hoffman Derby with the Dodgers, it will be interesting to see how his veteran presence impacts the Brewers bullpen. If he struggled early as he did in 2009, how soon would new manager Ken Macha feel inclined to pull the plug? All of these questions could lead to interesting drama in the land of the bratwurst in 2009.