Armando Benitez Rumors

Odds And Ends: Benitez, David Wells, Delgado

And for my first trick: My very first Odds and Ends. The Toronto Star's aptly named Blue Jays blog reports the team placed Vernon Wells on the 15-day DL, and they expect him to be out six to eight weeks after fracturing his left wrist during Friday night's game. The Jay's also placed reliever Jeremy Accardo on the 15-day DL with a strained right forearm. As replacements, the Jays will call up infielder Joe Inglett and veteran hurler Armando Benitez. With Wells out, do the Jays re-enter the Barry Bonds speculation market? David Wells in Pinstripes? No deal says Joe...   Continue Reading

---

Blue Jays Sign Armando Benitez

According to the Toronto Star, the Blue Jays have signed reliever Armando Benitez to a minor league deal. He's apparently not in the closer picture (which makes sense, with B.J. Ryan and Jeremy Accardo good to go). Benitez, 35, struck out 57 in 50.1 innings last year with the Giants and Marlins. The problem was too many hits, home runs, and walks. That resulted in an ERA of 5.36. Benitez's control has always been poor; he's succeeded by being tough to hit. The strong Toronto defense could help in that regard. By the way, Benitez's agent called the White Sox...   Continue Reading

---

Stark's Latest: Teixeira, Dotel

Jayson Stark has updated his big ol' rumor post over at ESPN.com. Some highlights: Stark believes Mark Teixeira to the Braves or Angels is "almost certainly going to happen." The Angels' willingness to offer Joe Saunders instead of Ervin Santana is seen as a big plus. Meanwhile the Braves want the Rangers to tack C.J. Wilson onto their trade but Texas is resisting. Stark's update counteracts Will Carroll's latest; Will recently wrote: "It's looking more and more like Mark Teixeira is going to stay a Ranger." You decide. Toss a few more scenarios into the Octavio Dotel mix: to the..   Continue Reading

---

Benitez is Gone

Earlier today, I speculated that Armando Benitez could find a new home in no time. A couple of hours ago, I read that the Giants were going to change things up. It's already settled: Benitez was sent to Florida (along with some cash, presumably) for Randy Messenger. Benitez would appear to step right into the closer's role for Florida, while the Giants will now turn to Brad Hennessey. I can't wait until the Marlins take their next trip to Shea Stadium: I'll bet that's a trip Benitez would prefer to skip. By Jeff Sackmann Brew Crew Bal   Continue Reading

---

Jeff Passan's Most Overpaid Team

Here's an interesting article from the Yahoo columnist that includes his selections for most overpaid players so far this year. Some of the blurbs are downright painful, like the reminder that Jason Kendall is earning more than $13M for this year's "production." I bring it up because overpaid players are so often a source of trade rumors on a thin market. After all, do you think it would take much to pry Kendall away from the A's? Shea Hillenbrand away from the Angels? It seems that clubs falling in the standings with money to burn (Yankees, anyone?) can always take..   Continue Reading

---

Marlins, Mariners Still Scouting Benitez

To hear Armando Benitez tell it, the Giants would regret trading him. That's probably true, but it speaks more to the sorry state of their bullpen than his abilities. According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, the Marlins and Mariners scouted his performance yesterday. Baggarly mentions other previously interested clubs: the Reds and Red Sox. I imagine the Sox will back off now, assuming they were interested in the first place. As far as Seattle's needs, reports are positive on J.J. Putz. Back when we assumed he was healthy, he was a bit undervalued in fantasy baseball...   Continue Reading

---

The Marlins are still very

The Marlins are still very much interested in acquiring Armando Benitez or Jorge Julio to front their bullpen, according to MLB.com. A Benitez deal is more likely because apparently the Giants will pick up most of Benitez's contract. Julio makes $3.6MM to Benitez's $7.6MM, but the D'Backs may not want to chip in at all. Can the Marlins continue their string of resurrected closers? The parade includes Joe Borowski, Todd Jones, and Benitez. They've also had twenty save seasons this decade from Braden Looper, Vladimir Nunez, and Antonio Alfonseca   Continue Reading

---

Marlins Lean Toward Benitez Over Julio

The Marlins are still very much interested in acquiring Armando Benitez or Jorge Julio to front their bullpen, according to MLB.com. A Benitez deal is more likely because apparently the Giants will pick up most of Benitez's contract. Julio makes $3.6MM to Benitez's $7.6MM, but the D'Backs may not want to chip in at all. Can the Marlins continue their string of resurrected closers? The parade includes Joe Borowski, Todd Jones, and Benitez. They've also had twenty save seasons this decade from Braden Looper, Vladimir Nunez, and Antonio Alfonseca   Continue Reading

---

Latest On Armando Benitez

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has a good article up discussing the Giants' quandary with reliever Armando Benitez. On one hand, Benitez's value may never be higher now that he's healthy and throwing well in spring. Giants fans dislike Benitez, and ownership will take a ton of flak if he blows several saves. On the other hand, his salary is not a big issue for the Giants, their bullpen is a huge question mark, he seems healthy, and Benitez has his teammates' respect in the clubhouse. The article mentions a story where Benitez took all the September..   Continue Reading

---

Reds, Marlins Interested In Benitez

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Marlins and Reds are the two clubs currently interested in Giants reliever Armando Benitez. This is the first word of Cincinnati's interest. Benitez has been looking good this spring and is pitching with confidence. One report last week said the Giants would eat all but a million bucks of his salary, but another said the Giants would eat less than half. If the latter is accurate then the Marlins may not want to be involved. I really think their internal options are just as good as Benitez   Continue Reading

---

Benitez Interest Limited?

Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal has a Giants source who indicated that the Marlins are the only team so far to show interest in Armando Benitez. With another dire report on J.J. Putz's elbow, perhaps the Mariners will reconsider. If they think he could handle the pressure, perhaps the Phillies would get involved. The Benitez discussion seems to have grown old for some Giants fans. Aside from Benitez and Jorge Julio, possibly available relievers include Byung-Hyun Kim, Scott Linebrink, Chad Cordero, Akinori Otsuka, Rheal Cormier, Rudy Seanez, Rick Bauer, and Scott Feldman   Continue Reading

---

Marlins, Mariners Interested In Benitez

This morning, Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel mentioned that the Marlins had two scouts on hand for Armando Benitez's Tuesday night appearance. The Fish would've sent scouts to his first appearance but the Giants didn't give them a heads up. Berardino talked to a scout who had Benitez at 92-94 mph and looking loose. Berardino speculates that the Marlins would only need to pay about a million of Benitez's $7.6MM salary. Are the Giants that desperate to get rid of him despite their questionable bullpen? Then John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer mentioned today that the Mariners also..   Continue Reading

---

Marlins Trade Rumors

The Fish might do some minor dealing in the coming days. Let's see what they have cooking. For one, Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel thinks they should bring Armando Benitez back, now that he's healthy. He says it would probably only cost the Marlins a million bucks in addition to the player(s) they trade. Benitez says he hasn't been in shape like he is now since he played for the Orioles. The Marlins may have their eye on a couple of Red Sox: center fielder David Murphy and pitcher Kyle Snyder. The Nationals also have interest in Snyder...   Continue Reading

---

Red Sox Inquire On Armando Benitez

One trade tidbit I missed, assuming it was printed elsewhere: the Red Sox recently inquired about the availability of Giants closer Armando Benitez. As you know, the Marlins were interested earlier this winter. According to John Shea, Benitez still needs a lot of work to improve his velocity and location (and his location was never that great). Not that Benitez is any great shakes, but I can't see how the Giants think they have a surplus of relievers. They really don't have anyone who can take care of the ninth inning; I wouldn't be surprised to see Tim Lincecum closing..   Continue Reading

---

Armando Benitez On The Block

The Giants are looking to trade 34 year-old reliever Armando Benitez, though he needs to prove he's healthy first. The Giants' head trainer isn't allowed to discuss the condition of Benitez's knee, but he can tell us that Benitez's attitude is just peachy. Helpful. We do know that Benitez will throw off a mound today for the first time since September. We also know that the team would like him to lose a few pounds. Even with the inflated market for relievers, I can't see the Giants drumming up much interest in Benitez. He's not young. His control has always..   Continue Reading

---

Armando Benitez On The Block

The Giants are looking to trade 34 year-old reliever Armando Benitez, though he needs to prove he's healthy first. The Giants' head trainer isn't allowed to discuss the condition of Benitez's knee, but he can tell us that Benitez's attitude is just peachy. Helpful. We do know that Benitez will throw off a mound today for the first time since September. We also know that the team would like him to lose a few pounds. Even with the inflated market for relievers, I can't see the Giants drumming up much interest in Benitez. He's not young. His control has always..   Continue Reading

---

Marlins Interested In Benitez, Reitsma

Another year, another phoenix closer for the Fish. This time they're considering going back to one of their best, Armando Benitez. The Marlins and Giants are still moving along on that one, though the players and money involved aren't clear yet. Benitez seems to like the idea. The Marlins may go after new free agents Chris Reitsma and Jorge Sosa as well. Might as well round 'em up and try to piece together a bullpen. The team is still hunting for the right center fielder, but the rotation is set with Willis-Johnson-Olsen-Sanchez-Nolasco   Continue Reading

---

Philly Daily News: Burrell/Benitez Swap?

I think Giants fans have been pondering this trade for a while: Pat Burrell to the Giants for Armando Benitez. But now Marcus Hayes tells us that Burrell would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to play for San Francisco. Hayes indicates that Burrell could move back to first base for the Giants. Benitez would go to the Phillies as "bullpen help." If it were just a true swap of these two players and their inflated salaries, it's a big win for the Giants. They weren't counting on much from Benitez anyway, so if you subtract his salary you..   Continue Reading

---

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST