Go Back West, Jamie Hoffmann
Via Chad Jennings -
Just got to Clearwater in time to hear that Rule 5 pick Jamie Hoffmann has cleared waivers and been returned to the Dodgers.
Here’s what the Yankees had said about Hoffman when they basically traded Brian Bruney to get him -
“He’s a big, physical outfielder with big league experience,” said Yankees pro scouting director Billy Eppler. “Our scouts saw some good things in him, including good defensive ability and a good arm. He runs well for his size, we’ve got him as a 55 runner [scouts use a 20-to-80 scale to grade each tool; 50 is considered major league average] at 6-foot-3, 235. Kevin Long, our hitting coordinator, looked at him on video and thinks there’s a foundation there hitting-wise.”
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that Hoffmann will compete for the final roster spot for the World Series champions. Hoffmann was also picked in the 2003 NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. “He’s got a hockey mentality, a Minnesota kid,” Cashman said. “A very athletic, hard-nosed outfielder.”
I guess this is good news for Marcus Thames? So, does this now make the trade, in net, Brian Bruney for Thames?
I would have taken a pile of cow turds for Brian Bruney..zing!
@ clintfsu813:
I didn’t see the same in Hoffman.
History tells us that at least this pile of cow turds could run into one every once in a while
It was a minor trade but it does seem a bit odd that the Yanks would’ve evaluated Hoffman as the player they wanted and then cut bait a few months later. A pitcher with upside or a middle infield bat would’ve made more sense.
Oh well, not the end of the world.
I’d rather have Hoffman than Thames… But at any rate, it’s not the end of the world. IIRC, Bruney was traded because he was arbitration eligible. Instead of nontendering and cutting him loose, they traded up in the Rule 5 draft and got Hoffman.
@ Raf:
For what it’s worth, Hoffman, to me, looked pretty bad this Spring. Thames is what he is. Either way, neither of these guys are starting caliber outfielders and replacements can be found in-season. Worst case scenario, we see what Freddy Guzman is doing in August.
So, a Yankee scout or two mis-evaluated Hoffman, and they gave away Bruney for him.
Oh, well, maybe Melancon, or whoever, will be an improvement.
Addition by subtraction.
@ Evan3457:
And Melancon is not as expensive.