Reds acquiring Jeff Hoffman and Case Williams from the Rockies for Robert Stephenson

[Ron Madden]

Bobby Nightengale
@nightengalejr
#Reds GM Nick Krall says Jeff Hoffman can pitch multiple innings in a relief role or compete for #5 starter spot; they planned to draft Case Williams before Rockies took him in 2020 Draft.

[cincinnati chili]

I’ve lived in and around Denver most of my adult life (I’m 48) and follow the Rockies reasonably closely. I know Hoffman has a great pedigree but there has been nothing to like in his results. Stephenson at least had flashes (and at least one entire season) of effectiveness. Hoffman’s career road ERA is 4.86 with a career road WHIP near 1.5. It’s bizarre to me that RH batters clobber him (nearly 1.000 OPS) much more than lefty batters (sound 800 OPs). When I see a reverse split like that, I assume a guy has a great change up. Not the case.

This only makes sense to me someone in the organization has convinced Krall they can fix him. Hopefully that’s the case and the prediction is accurate

Edit: maybe this trade is more about getting Case Williams, who I don’t know well

[RedTeamGo!]

I’ve lived in and around Denver most of my adult life (I’m 48) and follow the Rockies reasonably closely. I know Hoffman has a great pedigree but there has been nothing to like in his results. Stephenson at least had flashes (and at least one entire season) of effectiveness. Hoffman’s career road ERA is 4.86 with a career road WHIP near 1.5. It’s bizarre to me that RH batters clobber him (nearly 1.000 OPS) much more than lefty batters (sound 800 OPs). When I see a reverse split like that, I assume a guy has a great change up. Not the case.

This only makes sense to me someone in the organization has convinced Krall they can fix him. Hopefully that’s the case and the prediction is accurate

Edit: maybe this trade is more about getting Case Williams, who I don’t know well

Sounds like they wanted Case most of all.

[JaxRed]

Bobby Nightengale
@nightengalejr
#Reds GM Nick Krall says ... they planned to draft Case Williams before Rockies took him in 2020 Draft.

Mac Wainright says 'Wait. What?"

[RichRed]

Headline after Case Williams gets his first save as a member of the Reds:

Case Closed

[Ron Madden]

C. トレント・ローズクランズ
@ctrent
Nick Krall said he told Hoffman to come into camp to compete for a starters spot, but be prepared to be used in relief, as well

[WrongVerb]

Robert Stephenson had been the 8th most senior member of the Reds, having made his Reds debut on April 7, 2016.

With his departure, Sal Romano now moves into the Top 10.


Reds Top Ten Seniority List (Reds debut date in parentheses):

1. Joey Votto (9/4/07)
2. Tucker Barnhart (4/3/14)
3. Anthony DeSclafani (4/9/15)
4. Raisel Iglesias (4/12/15)
5. Michael Lorenzen (4/29/15)
6. Eugenio Suarez (6/11/15)
7. Brandon Finnegan (9/11/15)
8. Amir Garrett (4/7/17)
9. Jesse Winker (4/14/17)
10. Sal Romano (4/16/17)

Does Disco count, since he's a free agent?

[dfs]

So ends the saga of Robert Stephenson as a Red. Not quite what the Reds had hoped for from a #1 draft pick.

Yeah. With the exception of Aroldis, I don't think I've ever seen a reds minor league pitcher dominate quite the way that Stephenson did. Like most of us I just assumed that he would find a way to get that curveball over and turn into something special. Instead things got derailed and by the time he was at Lousiville he was a totally different guy.

I honestly don't know if there is blame to be placed at the developmental folks or if this is just another case of TINSTAAPP. At least with Hunter Greene (and a lot of other stories like this) there was a serious injury involved.

[Kc61]

I’ve lived in and around Denver most of my adult life (I’m 48) and follow the Rockies reasonably closely. I know Hoffman has a great pedigree but there has been nothing to like in his results. Stephenson at least had flashes (and at least one entire season) of effectiveness. Hoffman’s career road ERA is 4.86 with a career road WHIP near 1.5. It’s bizarre to me that RH batters clobber him (nearly 1.000 OPS) much more than lefty batters (sound 800 OPs). When I see a reverse split like that, I assume a guy has a great change up. Not the case.

This only makes sense to me someone in the organization has convinced Krall they can fix him. Hopefully that’s the case and the prediction is accurate

Edit: maybe this trade is more about getting Case Williams, who I don’t know well

I’ve now reviewed Hoffman’s major league stats. Room for improvement.

[kaldaniels]

I’ve wondered if Stephenson could find some success in another organization.

It’s not gonna be Colorado.

On the other hand it will always be interesting to see how a flameout pitching prospect from Colorado does with a new team.

[Big Klu]

Does Disco count, since he's a free agent?

Yes, until he signs with someone else, or unless he remains unsigned when the 2021 season begins.

[Ron Madden]

Thomas Harding
@harding_at_mlb
RHP Jeff Hoffman, traded by the #Rockies, is excited about the move to the #Reds. In past winters, he has received data-driven assistance from Driveline, a performance company. Driveline founder Kyle Boddy and Eric Jagers, who have worked with him in the past, are with the Reds.

[Ron Madden]

Bobby Nightengale
@nightengalejr
#Reds thought Case Williams had a lot of upside after scouting him in the Area Code Games. He can reach 95-96 mph and has a lot of spin on his pitches.

"He has a really good chance to be a potential big-league starter."

[dougdirt]

Yes, until he signs with someone else, or unless he remains unsigned when the 2021 season begins.

But why?

He is no longer a Cincinnati Reds player.

[Big Klu]

But why?

He is no longer a Cincinnati Reds player.

If he re-signs with the Reds before the season starts, his years of service remain continuous. He is not considered a new acquisition. So I leave him on the list until he has officially signed with someone else or the Reds have started the season without him.