Padres withdraw contract offer for RHP Hoffman

Nov 11, 2008 - 5:28 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres on Monday withdrew their contract offer to closer Trevor Hoffman.

The all-time saves leader with 554, Hoffman was offered $4 million, plus incentives, two weeks ago to return to the Padres for a 17th season. However, that offer was pulled back as San Diego continues to cut its payroll.

Hoffman, who will now hit the open market, made $7.5 million last season and recorded 30 saves in 34 opportunities while posting a 3.77 ERA, his highest since 1995. The 41-year-old was 3-6 while working 45 1/3 innings. Hoffman was also getting few chances on a team that finished last in the National League West with a 63-99 record - the second worst mark in the NL.

Padres owner John Moores is going through a difficult and costly divorce, according to an article posted Monday night on ESPN.com, and is looking to unload salary anyway possible.

Staff ace Jake Peavy is expected to be traded, perhaps by the end of the week, and outfielder Brian Giles could also be headed out of town. Hoffman's departure, coupled with the possible exits of Peavy and Giles would cut the Padres' 2008 payroll of $74 million in half.

The six-time All-Star, Hoffman owns a 56-66 career record with a 2.70 ERA in 16 seasons. He joined the Padres in a trade after playing in 28 games for the Florida Marlins in 1993.

Hoffman, who finished second in Cy Young Award balloting in 2006, sits 72 saves in front of the New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera, who is second on the all-time list.