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Armando Benitez

Red Sox Inquire On Armando Benitez

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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 by June.

As for the Red Sox, Benitez is the ninth sounds like a disaster in the making.  Maybe no more so than Joel Pineiro, but I don’t see the point.  I suppose it’d be a reasonable gamble if Boston only needed to cover his salary.

Armando Benitez On The Block

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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 been poor, and his strikeout rate has been down in recent years.  And he makes $7.6MM.  The Giants should probably hang on to him and hope he gives them 35-40 helpful innings.  They’d probably have to take on $5MM of his salary in a trade.  Even then, a team like the Marlins might be better off using internal options.

Armando Benitez On The Block

By | at

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 been poor, and his strikeout rate has been down in recent years.  And he makes $7.6MM.  The Giants should probably hang on to him and hope he gives them 35-40 helpful innings.  They’d probably have to take on $5MM of his salary in a trade.  Even then, a team like the Marlins might be better off using internal options.

Marlins Interested In Benitez, Reitsma

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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.

Philly Daily News: Burrell/Benitez Swap?

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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 are essentially getting Burrell for two years, $20MM.  As maligned as Burrell is, he’s only 30 and he’s posted an .890 OPS for two years running.  Yes, Burrell was bad with RISP this season (153 AB sample).  Why you shouldn’t read too much into that sample: he hit .313/.429/.598 with RISP in 2005.

Benitez, I don’t think will bounce back.  His top comparables, Scott Sullivan and Jose DeLeon, didn’t make it much past age 34.  Still, if payroll flexibility is what Pat Gillick is after, one year and $7.6MM sounds a lot better than two years and $27MM.

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