Trevor Hoffman has now blown more saves than he did all of last year, but yesterday was the worst of the worst.
Coming in to protect a three-run lead, Hoffman could not even record an out. He looked like he was throwing batting practice to the Cincinnati Reds in the 5-4 loss.
Hoffman is having his worst season yet and a change has to be made.
With veteran LaTroy Hawkins on the DL, one has to wonder to whom manager Ken Macha will turn now that Hoffman is out of the picture.
Carlos Villanueva seems like the ideal candidate since the Brewers’ other options, like Todd Coffey and Mitch Stetter, are not having good seasons so far.
Macha needs to make the change to save his job. If he brings Hoffman out one more time to save the game, he might get fired on the spot.
Hoffman spoiled a gem pitched by rookie Marco Estrada, in relief of Manny Parra.
As Tom Haurdicourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggests, Hoffman needs to go to Macha’s office and suggest he be removed from the closer’s role. If you are done or struggling, you should admit it and make the call yourself to make the manager feel better.
It’s tough telling the all-time saves leader that he’s officially done, but the guy is 42 years old and must say goodbye to his career as a closer. It’s a shame that this is what it has come down to, considering how brilliant he was last year (1.83 ERA), but a change has to be made.
With his atrocious ERA this year, no manager would have confidence running Hoffman out there for every save opportunity.
Villanueva needs to get the next save opportunity, whenever that may be, considering how bad the team is playing right now.
Is it too early to throw in the towel on the Milwaukee Brewers? Maybe. But this is an awful ball club right now and there is no hope in sight.
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