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Kris Benson

Kris Benson Retires

By Mike Axisa | January 10, 2011 at 10:12pm CDT

Fifteen years after being the first overall pick in the 1996 draft, Kris Benson is calling it a career. The right-hander told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he has decided to formally retire.

"I’m done," said the 36-year-old right-hander. "I decided pretty much after this past season that I wasn’t going to pursue anything. I’ve been putting way too much into it and not getting enough out of it, as far as the rehab, working out, training, and then not getting the type of results I expect from myself."

"I wanted to make this decision now, rather than go into another season on another minor-league deal. I didn’t want to go through the head games of, ‘Am I going to make the team?’ I don’t mind the pressure. I just don’t want to fall into another situation like I had the last couple years, where I busted my tail getting back and then got hurt again shortly after I made the team."

Benson pitched for five different teams in his 12-year career, most recently for the Diamondbacks. He made just three starts for Arizona in 2010, throwing 14 innings with a 5.14 ERA. Benson spent the majority of his career with the Pirates, where he posted a 4.26 ERA in 782 innings across parts of six seasons. He retires with a 70-75 record and a 4.42 ERA in 1,243 2/3 innings.

Injuries hampered Benson throughout his career. He missed the 2001 season due to Tommy John surgery, and then missed the 2007 and 2008 seasons after having surgery to repair a damaged rotator cuff. All told, Benson hit the disabled list no fewer than eight times in his career, almost all with arm related ailments. Baseball-Reference.com says he earned more than $36MM in his career, the majority of which came from the three-year, $22.5MM contract he signed with the Mets before the 2005 season.

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Uncategorized Kris Benson

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Odds & Ends: Matsui, Braves, Bumgarner, Benson

By Zachary Links | April 18, 2010 at 10:38pm CDT

Sunday night linkage..

  • It appears that Kaz Matsui is in danger of losing his job as starting second baseman, writes Alyson Footer of MLB.com.  This is thanks in large part to the red-hot play of Jeff Keppinger.
  • Braves CEO Terry McGuirk refuted a report that the team slashed payroll 13% since last season, writes David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  McGuirk also says that he doesn't see the Liberty Media group, which owns the Braves, selling the team in the near future.
  • ESPN.com's Rob Neyer looks at Madison Bumgarner's recent troubles on the mound.
  • Kris Benson believes that can throw the ball even harder than he did in his debut with the D'Backs, writes Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.  Benson, who signed a minor league deal with the club this offseason, was recently promoted to be Arizona's fifth starter.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves San Francisco Giants Kaz Matsui Kris Benson Madison Bumgarner

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Odds & Ends: Hudson, Hechavarria, Benson, Teahen

By Zachary Links | April 13, 2010 at 10:56pm CDT

Tuesday night linkage…

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports weighed in on Orlando Hudson's assertion that racism plays a role in free agency.  Earlier today, Tim gave us his take on the matter.
  • The Blue Jays hope to see Adeiny Hechavarria reach Double-A by season's end, tweets Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
  • Morgan Campbell of the Toronto Star spoke to Alexei Ramirez, who believes that "it won't be long" before we see Adeiny Hechavarria in the majors.  Ramirez watched Hechavarria's meteoric rise through the the ranks of Cuban baseball.
  • Kris Benson is a candidate to become the D-Backs' fifth starter, writes MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.  Arizona signed the 35-year-old to a minor league deal in mid-March.
  • Mark Teahen is still adjusting to his new club, writes Larry Millson of MLB.com.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Chicago White Sox Toronto Blue Jays Adeiny Hechavarria Kris Benson Mark Teahen Orlando Hudson

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D’Backs, Kris Benson Agree To Minor League Deal

By Tim Dierkes | March 15, 2010 at 1:48pm CDT

The Diamondbacks reached an agreement with pitcher Kris Benson on a minor league deal, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that Benson will receive $650K plus $100K of start-based incentives if he's in the big leagues.  He also drew interest from the Nationals this winter. 

Benson, 35, had rotator cuff surgery in March of '07.  He's tallied 163 pro innings since then, most of them unimpressive minor league frames in the Rangers and Phillies organizations.

Benson auditioned for the D'Backs recently, and his agent Gregg Clifton said he was sitting in the 88-89 range.  Benson worked at 90 mph with the Mets and Orioles in the two years prior to his injury.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Transactions Kris Benson

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Benson Threw For D’Backs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 14, 2010 at 1:50pm CDT

SUNDAY, 1:50pm: Gregg Clifton, the agent for Benson, says that his client is willing to accept a minor league deal, writes Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.  Clifton hopes to speak with the Diamondbacks today.

FRIDAY, 10:31pm: The club will probably make a decision in the next 24 hours on what type of deal to offer Benson, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

2:43pm: Kris Benson threw for the D'Backs today, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes confirmed that Benson was in camp, but declined to say how hard he threw. Piecoro says Benson faced minor league hitters for five innings in a simulated game. Byrnes told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert that the club will stay open-minded about adding pitching.

"Every club is always wanting to ensure pitching depth," Byrnes said. "It's an evaluation worth doing. We'll see how we proceed."

Benson was connected to the Nationals for much of the winter, but last we heard, he's no longer in touch with them. Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, said in January that his client felt good and had thrown for two unnamed teams.

The 35-year-old right-hander pitched 22.1 innings for the Rangers last year, his first stint in the majors since 2006. His 4.4 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9 contributed to his 8.46 ERA. The first overall pick of the 1996 draft, Benson had some solid seasons for the Pirates but ran into injuries, including elbow tendinitis last year.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Kris Benson

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Odds & Ends: Boone, Smoltz, Benson

By Tim Dierkes | February 23, 2010 at 12:31pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

  • SI's Tom Verducci lists his 13 most interesting non-roster invitees.
  • Aaron Boone has officially retired and joined ESPN as an analyst.  USA Today's Bob Nightengale first reported in October that Boone was likely to hang up the spikes.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that John Smoltz currently prefers to start, but he'll be more open to relieving if he signs midseason.  The Cardinals apparently do not have the funds to re-sign Smoltz.
  • MLB.com's Bill Ladson tweets that Kris Benson is no longer talking to the Nationals, despite the pitcher's assertion yesterday.
  • WEEI's Alex Speier tweets that the Red Sox released southpaw Jose Capellan.
  • MLB.com's transactions page says Boston also released righty Edwin Moreno, who they signed to a minor league deal a month ago.  Augusto Cardenas first tweeted of the move on Thursday, saying that Moreno will play in Mexico instead.
  • Speier also has an article about David Ortiz reaching a career crossroads.  Speier finds it unlikely that the Sox exercise Ortiz's $12.5MM club option for 2011.
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Boston Red Sox St. Louis Cardinals Transactions Washington Nationals Aaron Boone David Ortiz John Smoltz Kris Benson

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Nationals Notes: Benson, Smoltz, Starting Pitcher

By Zachary Links | February 22, 2010 at 8:33pm CDT

Some Nationals news from SIRIUS XM'S MLB Home Plate Channel and Bill Ladson of MLB.com…

  • In an interview with Rob Dibble and Steve Davis, Kris Benson said that he and the Nationals were "still talking."  There's been word of the Nats' interest in the 35-year-old as of late, though Benson says he's not in a rush to sign anywhere.
  • Ladson writes that Washington has not had any recent conversations with John Smoltz.  The Nationals are reportedly one of ten teams that have expressed interest in the 42-year-old.
  • On his blog, Ladson writes that the Nationals are trying hard to add another veteran starter after striking out on Chan Ho Park and Braden Looper.  It should be noted that the Nationals did not confirm extending offers to either pitcher.
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Washington Nationals Braden Looper Chan Ho Park John Smoltz Kris Benson

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Odds & Ends: Gonzalez, Benson, Giants, Mariners

By Mark Polishuk | February 17, 2010 at 9:24pm CDT

A quick rundown of some of the day's items…

  • In an appearance on WEEI's Dale & Holley Show, ESPN's Keith Law said that the Red Sox are the clear front-runners if and when Adrian Gonzalez hits the trade market.  "I really think that Boston could top anybody if Adrian Gonzalez becomes available, and he will," Law said.  The transcript of Law's appearance is available here.
  • It looks like Washington might still be the only team interested in Kris Benson.  Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that the Indians have no interest in the right-hander.
  • ESPN.com's Jayson Stark polled "20 baseball wise men" to get their take on the offseason moves.  The panel picked Seattle and Arizona as the most improved teams in their respective leagues, while Cleveland and the Dodgers were the least improved.  John Lackey was named the winter's best free agent signing, while Brandon Lyon's deal with Houston was considered the worst.
  • Giants infielder Freddy Sanchez underwent shoulder surgery on December 23, but the news of the procedure didn't come out until almost a month later.  Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News believes the club wanted to keep Sanchez's condition a secret in order to help them sign Juan Uribe to a more team-friendly contract.  Uribe signed a one-year, $3.25MM deal on January 5.
  • MLB.com's Jim Street answers some Mariner-related questions in a fan mailbag.  Some topics of note include the possibility that the M's could deal one of their surplus outfielders, and Chad Cordero could also be trade bait if he doesn't make the Seattle bullpen but otherwise appears recovered from shoulder surgery.
  • Matt Klaassen of Fangraphs thinks "Arizona overpaid a bit" in the arbitration settlement between the Diamondbacks and Edwin Jackson, but also notes that "there is reason to believe this deal is fair to both sides."
  • Miguel Olivo took less money to play in Colorado because he wanted to be on a contending team, reports Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
  • "It's decision time" for teams to negotiate with players entering the last year of their contracts, says USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
  • Wandy Rodriguez and the Astros had their arbitration hearing today, and The Associated Press reports that a decision should be reached by tomorrow.  Rodriguez wants $7MM, while Houston has countered with an offer of $5MM.   
  • Jane Lee of MLB.com breaks down the dollars and reasoning behind Oakland's quick flip of Willy Taveras earlier this month.
  • There are no new developments between Jonny Gomes and the Reds, but John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the two sides are still talking.  GM Walt Jocketty is hopeful the team and player "can get something done this weekend."
  • Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette looks at some of the issues facing the Pirates this spring, and notes that the club's young players could be helped without the pressure to win starting jobs.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Boston Red Sox Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Guardians Colorado Rockies Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers Oakland Athletics Pittsburgh Pirates San Francisco Giants Seattle Mariners Washington Nationals Adrian Gonzalez Brandon Lyon Chad Cordero Edwin Jackson Freddy Sanchez John Lackey Jonny Gomes Juan Uribe Kris Benson Miguel Olivo Wandy Rodriguez Willy Taveras

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Nationals Have Interest In Kris Benson

By Mike Axisa | February 16, 2010 at 7:33pm CDT

TUESDAY, 7:33pm: Ladson reports (via Twitter) that the team and Benson's agent haven't spoken yet because both sides have been busy working on Brian Bruney's arbitration case. Bruney and Benson share an agent.

SATURDAY, 12:01pm: The Nationals have not confirmed their interest in Benson according to Ladson, however they did attend his "impressive workouts" over the last few weeks.

FRIDAY, 3:18pm: The Nationals have some interest in free agent righty Kris Benson, tweets MLB.com's Bill Ladson. GM Mike Rizzo and Benson's agent Gregg Clifton are hoping to meet early next week after a snow storm got in the way this week (link goes to Twitter).

Benson, 35, is apparently 100% after battling arm injuries for the better part of the last three seasons. In 22.1 innings for the Rangers last season, he allowed 23 runs with more walks (12) than strikeouts (11). It was his first big league action since 2006. As long as they don't guarantee him a roster spot, there's nothing wrong with seeing what Benson has to offer in Spring Training.

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Washington Nationals Kris Benson

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Odds & Ends: Upton, Jackson, Tigers, Lopez

By Zachary Links | February 12, 2010 at 10:47pm CDT

Friday night linkage..

  • B.J. Upton and the Rays had their arbitration hearing today and the decision from that hearing is expected tomorrow, writes Bill Chastain of MLB.com.  Tampa Bay is offering $3MM while Upton wants $3.3MM.
  • Steve Gilbert of MLB.com tweets that there is still no movement in talks between the D-Backs and Edwin Jackson.  Jackson is seeking $6.25MM while Arizona is offering $4.6MM.
  • If the Tigers ink Johnny Damon, the club may look make a trade to free up their glut in the outfield, writes James Schmehl of MLive.com.  Ryan Raburn and Clete Thomas could be shipped elsewhere in order to make room for Damon in the lineup.  Schmehl also writes that GM Dave Dombrowski may try to move Nate Robertson and Carlos Guillen, though their hefty contracts will be an impediment.
  • Phil Wood of MASNSports.com fails to understand the Nats' interest in pitcher Kris Benson.  The 35-year-old has not pitched a full season since 2006, when he posted a 4.82 ERA with 4.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 for the Orioles.
  • Australian catcher Guy Edmonds has signed with the Texas Rangers, according to Christian Nicolussi of The Daily Telegraph.  Nicolussi writes that the 16-year-old has the potential to outperform the country's greatest baseball export, Dave Nilsson.
  • ESPN's Rob Neyer defends Tim Lincecum's signing of a two-year deal with the Giants.  Tiny Tim was seeking $13MM in arbitration with the club.
  • Rangers pitchers Omar Beltre and Alexi Ogando – banned for the past five years due to their involvement in a visa fraud scandal – have received their visas and are expected in Spring Training, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.  In total, the Rangers are expecting 56 players in camp.
  • On his website, MetsBlog.com founder Matthew Cerrone was asked by a reader if reporters in the mainstream media "make up" hot stove rumors.  While he says that this is not the case, the seriousness of talks between clubs are, at times, not communicated effectively.  Because of the strange nature of the baseball rumor mill, Cerrone says that he and Tim Dierkes provide an important service to fans by adding context to hot stove rumblings.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Detroit Tigers San Francisco Giants Tampa Bay Rays Texas Rangers Washington Nationals B.J. Upton Carlos Guillen Clete Thomas Edwin Jackson Johnny Damon Kris Benson Nate Robertson Ryan Raburn Tim Lincecum

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