Hoffman will make decision on future today

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Tuesday, December 6, 2005 11:32 PM PST ∞

Trevor Hoffman

SAN DIEGO ---- Trevor Hoffman will decide today whether to remain the face of the Padres or to sign on with the resurgent cast of the Cleveland Indians.

Those are the options that lay before the free-agent closer, who informed the Padres through his agent, Rick Thurman, that he will reach a decision by this morning after consulting one final time with his family.

There was no indication late Tuesday night of which way Hoffman was leaning.

The Indians are offering more money ---- a reported $21 million over three years, with the third season possibly being a vesting option based on performance. The Padres increased their offer Monday night from their initial proposal of two years for $10 million, but it's not known by how much or whether an option is part of the deal.

What Cleveland can't match, however, is the comfort of home for Hoffman, or the familiarity of the franchise he has pitched for since 1993.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers wasn't able to speak with Hoffman on Tuesday from the winter meetings in Dallas, but he did leave a heartfelt phone message.

"Trevor and I have been together a long time," Towers, the Padres' GM since 1995, told MLB.com. "He's been here since I've been here. This is the first time he's tested the free-agent market. I wanted him to know our affection for him."

The Padres need a decision by today because it's the deadline for teams to offer salary arbitration to their own free agents. Losing him before the deadline would net the Padres two compensatory picks in next year's amateur draft.

A person close to Hoffman confirmed that the 38-year-old pitcher was given a physical by an Indians trainer Tuesday at his Del Mar home.

While Hoffman mulled his alternatives, the Padres pressed on with trade talks. They were close to a deal Tuesday that would send third baseman Sean Burroughs to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for pitcher Dewon Brazelton.

The 25-year-old right-hander struggled through a miserable season in which he fell from Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter to Double-A, and he finished 1-8 with a 7.61 ERA. But Brazelton possesses a wealth of talent, as evidenced by his being drafted third overall in 2001.

Burroughs, himself a former high draft pick, has been made expendable by the Padres' offseason acquisitions of starting third baseman Vinny Castilla and reserve Bobby Hill, who can play both third and second.

Pending Hoffman's decision, the Padres could also complete a discussed swap of second baseman Mark Loretta for Boston Red Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli.

The Padres have met with Arn Tellem, the agent for infielder Nomar Garciaparra, who could replace Loretta unless the Padres turn to Hill or touted prospect Josh Barfield.

Contact staff writer Brian Hiro at b_hiro@hotmail.com.