12:50pm: The Yankees are also interested in Benoit, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News hears that there aren’t any current discussions between the Yankees and Padres regarding Benoit (Twitter link), though that doesn’t mean New York is interested.
11:37am: The Dodgers are interested in Joaquin Benoit, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter), but the Padres would prefer not to trade him within the division. It doesn’t sound like they’re completely ruling out the idea of moving Benoit, however, as one source told MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo yesterday that there’s a good chance Benoit is traded even after San Diego dealt Huston Street.
Benoit inherited the ninth inning in San Diego following the trade of Street, and he’s been excellent with the Friars all year after inking a two-year, $15.5MM deal in the offseason. The 37-year-old has turned in a 1.88 ERA with 10.7 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and a 38.1 percent ground-ball rate in 43 innings this season. He’s owed just over $2MM from now through season’s end, and he’s guaranteed $8MM in 2015. Benoit’s contract contains an $8MM club option for 2016, which comes with a $1.5MM buyout.
It’s a bit curious to see that the Padres don’t want to move Benoit within the division. The Padres would strengthen their own farm system while weakening the minor league system of a division rival, and they’re unlikely to contend next year while Benoit is still under contract at any rate. Then again, Padres ownership may feel that the team’s core of young pitching can help them to contend in 2015 if the offense can be properly augmented.
As a dodger fan, I love that they’re active on the trade market every year. As a baseball fan, I hate that the Dodgers are linked to every remotely high profile target
Why I think it is good for baseball. They are examining every possible way to help improve their team. Isn’t that what you are suppose to do?
Good, this is the kind of player that we really NEED. Our bullpen has been garbage this year. A top end starter would be nice, but its more of a luxury. But I have serious questions about the 7th and 8th innings come post-season.
Agreed. Only Colorado and Philadelphia have worse reliever ERAs in the National League. Get rid of Wilson and Perez and bring in a couple reinforcements in front of Jansen.
Why do the Padres care about trading within the division? It would be understadable if they were ever actually competitive, but…
It’s all talk. Padres are using it as leverage. That’s all. I hope it works!
Besides the fact they’ll have to overpay cuz he’s in the division, maybe have to take all his salary (it’s closer money, twice the salary of a set up man and they’re the padres) and his age (which isn’t too bad given the good number of examples of elite older closers and setup men like trevor saito and uehara) I think he’s a good target that makes for a lights out 8’th inning. The dodgers would greatly benefit from that. I may get skewered for this but i’d almost be ok with zach lee going the other way if it meant the pads sent half his salary back.
At this point I’m fine with moving lee. He’s been a “top prospect” for several years but never been close to cracking the rotation. Also with Urias’s progression, I don’t think there will be a spot for Lee anytime soon
pretty much how i feel.
I think the shine on Lee has worn off. I realize the PCL is rough on pitchers, but his peripherals are pretty bad. 5.89 K/9 is pretty rough. Probably should have moved him a year or so ago instead of deeming him untouchable.
What trade targets have the Dodgers not been linked to this week?
Marlon Byrd and Colon?
Just wait, they will get their turn too.
100% of pitchers but not really linked to much on the offense side.
There seem to be quite a few teams interested in Benoit, but if the Dodgers are willing to give up the best prospect/prospects the Padres would be foolish not to trade him within the division. Although the Padres would seem to have a very good rotation in place for next year, I don’t see them finding enough bats in one off season to have them contending next year.
They may not have to find bats. Their current players have performed so far below their own norms, let alone potential, that they’ve coined a new baseball term, the “anti-career year”. Most of the under-performers have had nagging injuries (their 1B, 2B, SS, LF, and CF have all been on the disabled list), and it’s not unreasonable to expect them to bounce back. Then a bat or two and the fourth best pitching staff in the majors could make them contenders next year.
I have always been a fan of this guy. Always wondered why the Dodgers never pursued him last offseason.
Cashman: Benoit is “average”.
Did he say that?
/s
His quotes on Chase Headley after acquiring him.
Benoit or Headley?
Oh boy…
Can’t figure out what you’re saying. Did Cashman say Benoit was average or Headley? Because you said each in different messages.
He’s making a joke, when the Yankees got Headley Brain Cashman called chase “average”
Thanks for the clarification.
If the rumors are true. It sounds like the Dodgers don’t want to give anything up.
Much like their fanbase, so all is hunkydory.
No. The Dodgers just don’t want to give up one of their top three prospects for a reliever and don’t want to give all 3 for Cole Hamels.
Padres should do it if they can get a good hitting prospect at any position.
Who aren’t the dodgers interested in? Every update I see is “so and so is available, dodgers interested”
Of course the Yanks are interested. Anyone over 35, come on down!!!
Anyone remember Konerko and the trade that was a flop?