"Brewers Sign Pitcher Not Named Sabathia"

Today, in a move to keep themselves in playoff form, the Brewers signed relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman, baseball's all-time saves leader. This, of course, after letting CC Sabathia go to the Yankees, who already have every other player and might as well have that one too.

Much like the Brewers' signing of Eric Gagne three years ago, this would have been a great signing around the turn of the century. At 41, Hoffman is on the downside of his career, and, barring a steroid-fueled breakout, he'll be good for about 30 saves: exactly what you'd get from any guy who you let pitch the last inning of any win.

For the honor of having the all-time save leader on their team, the Brewers had to give up Sabathia, whom I have no problem calling the best pitcher in the NL last year. Sure, he only pitched 17 games, but I defy you to find another pitcher who had a better 17-game streak than Sabathia. This, they'll give up for a guy who...well, there's a lot of closers out there.

Oh well. If nothing else, the Brewers can now play "Hell's Bells" when they bring in their closer without feeling like ripoffs.