MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says all-times saves leader Trevor Hoffman is his top choice to be the ball club's next closer.

The 41-year-old right-hander became a free agent when San Diego decided not to offer him salary arbitration for budgetary reasons.

Melvin tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he has "talked parameters" with Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, and should know soon whether Hoffman would come to Milwaukee.

Hoffman converted 30 of 34 save opportunities for the Padres last season. Melvin says because Hoffman is a changeup specialist, his age is not really a factor.