"All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman watched Arizona starter Jon Garland walk out of the Diamondbacks dugout at Dodger Stadium and go to the home clubhouse after he was traded to Los Angeles in mid-game last week. He saw Jim Thome traded to the Dodgers, too. So, when he heard the Giants claimed him last week, Hoffman thought he might have to pack for San Francisco.

"It's a wild period of time when you get down to the end of that deadline" for setting postseason rosters, Hoffman said. "You start to see other players moved. It's pretty crazy."

However, a reunion with his former manager, Bruce Bochy, was not seriously in the works. Sources including Hoffman say general managers Doug Melvin of the Brewers and Brian Sabean of the Giants did not even discuss a trade for Hoffman, making it likely the Giants claimed him to block the Dodgers or Rockies from getting him.

"It didn't seem to get too much of a head of steam," said Hoffman, whom the Brewers pulled off waivers.

If Sabean did claim Hoffman as a blocking move, it might prove significant in the wild-card race now that Rockies closer Huston Street is hurt. Since Hoffman was pulled off waivers, he cannot be traded to another team before the season ends."