Is It Time For The Milwaukee Brewers To Cut The Cord With Trevor Hoffman?

The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves in a very similar situation as the Arizona Diamondbacks. They have an offense that is scoring a ton of runs, but their bullpen is killing any hopes of them contending in 2010.

And just like with the Diamondbacks, there closer is killing them and there seems to be help on the way for the Brewers’ bullpen.

Hoffman was roughed up again yesterday

Trevor Hoffman blew another save on Tuesday afternoon as the Brewers fell to the Cincinnati Reds 5-2. Hoffman entered the game with a 4-2 lead and didn’t record an out in the ninth.

Hoffman blew his fifth saves in 10 chances and now sports a 13.15. With Hoffman’s struggles this year, the question is; Do the Brewers cut the cord with Hoffman?

I am going to say no just because who are the Brewers going to replace him with? Latroy Hawkins is hurt and he wasn’t having the best year when healthy to begin with (9.26 ERA in 11.2 IP), Carlos Villanueva is having a solid year so far, but is not closer material in my opinion, and the Brewers’ minor league system doesn’t offer much.

Brandon Kintzler is having a remarkable year in Double A, but is he ready? Kintzler has struck out 15 and hasn’t walked a batter in 14.2 IP. He also has five saves, so he at least has some experience closing games.

In Triple A, the Brewers could look to top prospect Zach Braddock, who has whiffed 27 in 15 innings all in relief. Walks are an issue (eight), for the 22-year-old. I am also not sure if the Brewers want to throw him into the fire right away.

Right now the Brewers are going to have to hope that Hoffman figures things out and hope that his changeup comes somewhat back to form. Hoffman’s changeup has been his biggest issue to date. It simply has no bite.

The Brewers are a win now team, so I don’t think cutting Hoffman and eating the roughly $8 million left on his contract  makes much sense. The next time the Brewers have a save opportunity, I am sure Hoffman will be run out there.

I just wouldn’t watch if I was a Brewer fan.

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