End of an era: Hoffman signs deal with Brewers

Trevor Hoffman, who figured prominently in four of the five division titles won by the Padres, has agreed to terms with the Milwaukee Brewers on a one-year salary for $6 million plus $1.5 million in incentives and a club option for 2010.

SPECIAL TREVOR HOFFMAN TRIBUTE SITE
Take a look back at Trevor Hoffman's record-breaking career with the Padres. This site contains archive stories from throughout his career, the Union-Tribune's complete coverage of the day he broke the all-time saves record, and a tribute page for you to leave your thoughts and say farewell.
Story archive / Saves record / Photo and video galleries
Year-by-year stats / Post your tribute
Noah Albrecht/Union-Tribune

Closer's role now belongs to Bell, who says he learned from Hoffman
"I'm glad to get the opportunity," says Bell, who has had two strong seasons as the Padres' set-up man, "but I hate how it's happened."

GM Towers on the Hoffman situation: 'We just don't have the money'
The record-setting closer appears close to choosing Thursday between signing with the Dodgers or Brewers.
Padres 2009 contracts

At one position, at least – first base – the Padres organization is flush
This is the first in a series of stories examining the players in the Padres' organization position by position. Today: First base.

More questions than answers regarding Moorad ownership
TIM SULLIVAN: But while little is known about what changes would be coming should Moorad take control of the Padres next spring, any new direction is likely to be better than no direction.
Moorad near deal to buy Padres
Jeff Moorad bio

Padres Blog
Padres, Hairston reach agreement
The outfielder, who hit 17 home runs last season, agrees to a one-year deal worth more than $1 million.

Padres Mailbag
Have a question for Padres beat writers Tom Krasovic and Bill Center? Ask away.

Previous Padres Stories

Padres 2009 contracts
The Padres are aiming to keep their payroll around $40 million in 2009. Here are the players currently under contract.

Rating the system: Call it average
The Padres organization has started to play catch-up, and a Moorad purchase of the team could accelerate that process.
Who are the Padres' Top 10 prospects?

Padres hope their core of young players will help produce a turnaround in 2009
ANALYSIS: As the Padres emerge from this year's wreckage, their challenge might be less daunting than their record suggests.
Padres contracts
Padres report card
Padres 2009 schedule (PDF)


Wednesday, January 7

GM Towers on the Hoffman situation: 'We just don't have the money'
The record-setting closer appears close to choosing Thursday between signing with the Dodgers or Brewers.
Padres 2009 contracts

At one position, at least – first base – the Padres organization is flush
This is the first in a series of stories examining the players in the Padres' organization position by position. Today: First base.

Tuesday, January 6

Brewers rate Hoffman No. 1 choice
Padres did not budge Tuesday after a report that the Brewers called Hoffman the best candidate for their closer's job.

Prospects get a big boost
When Padres pitchers report to spring training in February, prospect Mat Latos will be among them. Center fielder Cedric Hunter also will be among the prospects in the major league camp. Neither Latos nor Hunter has played above Single-A, so their presence in major league camp will at least partly reflect the organization's high regard for them.

Monday, January 5
Sunday, January 4

Moorad would boost strength in draft
What quality of farm system would a Jeff Moorad-led group inherit if, as Moorad strongly implied Friday, his cadre soon buys control of the Padres from John and Becky Moores?

Saturday, January 3

Ranking the Top 10 Padres prospects
A look at the Padres' top 10 propects based on a survey of 10 major league talent evaluators.

Rating the system: Call it average
The Padres organization has started to play catch-up, and a Moorad purchase of the team could accelerate that process.
Who are the Padres' Top 10 prospects?