Hoffman, baseball's career saves leader and the face of the franchise since Tony Gwynn retired following the 2001 season, was upset with the abrupt, impersonal way the club ended contract talks, agent Rick Thurman said Tuesday.

Thurman doubts negotiations can be rekindled.

"I would say because of the way it was handled, it appears as though he's done as a Padre," Thurman said.

Hoffman's appearances out of the bullpen were announced by the ominous gongs from AC/DC's "Hells Bells." The Padres apparently rang out the Hoffman era when they pulled their offer of $4 million for 2009 and a $4 million club option for 2010. Thurman said the club also refused the closer's request for a meeting with top executives, who appear to be slashing salary because of owner John Moores' difficult divorce.

The 41-year-old Hoffman has 554 career saves. He was in Puerto Rico on a Nike tour and wasn't available for comment, Thurman said.

"Trevor's unhappy with the way they've dealt with the situation," Thurman said. "I think if they didn't want him back, they should have just said they want to go a different direction, go younger, or, 'Listen, we're going to cut payroll,' and sit down and have a man-to-man, face-to-face talk with him. I think he deserves that respect. Any player deserves it, but this is Trevor Hoffman. He's meant a lot to that organization."