Except that at best, Hoffpauir is a first baseman/corner outfielder. All of the guys you say he's "battling" are either middle infielders or can play center field, neither of which Hoffpauir can do. There's no question the guy can rake, but I just don't see a spot for him positionally; there's no room on the bench for two first baseman/outfielder/pinch hitters. Thats why you at least try him out in the outfield. Say the season opens, and Brian Roberts is still wearing orange. Then you Have DeRosa and Theriot in the middle infield, and you have your pick of Fontenot, Patt, Cedeno, and Cintron as a back up. Ward can do 1st and Rt. Like I said, at 28, Hoff wont get many more chances, so I say bring him aboard. hats the worst that could happen? Bring him up, and he sucks, and you send him down and bring up someone else. It worked for Jason DuBois.