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Marlin Closer Update

Hour by hour more speculation comes out of the Marlins organization on who is going to be signed as the closer to open the 2007 season. Considering the amount of trade rumors circulating around the Marlins, one would think the staff is not happy with any of the potential internal options the Marlins went into Spring Training with. Let’s take a look at the rumors swirling around the internet on this slow day…

Jorge Julio Update: The latest word on $3.6MM reliever Jorge Julio is that the Diamondbacks don’t intend to pick up any of his salary. Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel speculates that the Marlins are showing public interest in Julio “as a way of forcing the Giants’ hand in an Armando Benitez deal.” The Giants countered by inquiring on Julio as well. Rodriguez also mentions that the Marlins and Larry Beinfest have some past history of trading or attempting to trade for Julio. From the Arizona side, Nick Piecoro writes that more teams than just the Giants and Marlins are interested. He believes Julio will start the season with Arizona, though.

Armando Benitez Update: 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. 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.

It looks like by the day the Marlins are getting closer to acquiring someone to man the end of the bullpen. Personally, I like the reports I’ve read on Benitez. I’ve read he hasn’t looked this sharp and healthy in years. That could all change the second Benitez rolls out of bed and pulls his groin muscle. The fact Julio hasn’t been able to hold down a closers job for more then half a season with one team makes him undesirable.

Would you want the Marlins to go out and pickup a proven closer or stick with an internal candidate? The good news is, we aren’t the only team with closer issues.