FanPost

How do you solve a problem like Maria...err, Trevor?

Trevor Hoffman, that is.

OK, we all know the 'Crew is in a bit of a pickle with the all-time saves leader. Trevor is 4 saves away from the nice round number of 600 career saves, yet recently - when given the opportunity - has failed to get any closer to that goal. There are myriad suggestions of what can or should be done about this, ranging from cutting him loose and letting him be somebody else's problem (but thereby missing the chance for any promotional benefits when/if he reaches 600), to having a "devil may care" attitude and throw him out there when we have a 9th inning lead and HOPE he manages not to blow it.

After consulting the rulebook, I am proposing another option that will benefit all parties - Trevor because he can (hopefully) get the 4 more saves he needs for 600, and the Brewers because they don't have to A) remove Axford from the closer's role, and B) make it look like they're not doing everything they can to win games by putting in a slumping pitcher just so he gets the milestone. The rulebook states a pitcher is credited with the save in the following scenarios:

He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;

He is not the winning pitcher;

He is credited with at least ⅓ of an inning pitched; and

He satisfies one of the following conditions:

1. He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning

2. He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat or on deck

3. He pitches for at least three innings

OK, so criterion #1 has thus far not worked out so great this season. #2 would be a little obvious that the 'Crew is only trying to get him his stats if, for example, Trevor was put in with an 0-2 count on a batter with 2 outs in the 9th and the potential tying run waiting on deck. So that brings us to criterion #3.

What if, assuming the Brewers are on the winning end of a few more laughers this year like the 20-0 drubbing of the Pirates a while back, Trevor is put in to pitch the 7th, 8th, and 9th? Assuming the Brewers have a seemingly-insurmountable lead by the 5th or 6th inning, the starting pitcher would get his win, and Trevor would get the save despite the final margin of victory being much more than the traditional 3 runs or less. So long as Trevor finishes the game which the Brewers win and pitches at least 3 innings, he could theoretically "save" a 15-3 game. And if he gives up 10+ runs and loses the game for us? Well... then I guess he's just a lost cause.