SporTech Matter Archived Site

Breaking News: Marlins Acquire Armando Benitez

Yep. You read that right. The Marlins swung a move to bring back Armando Benitez tonight sending Randy Messenger to the Giants. Before anyone complains this move actually benefits us. Despite having a horrific game against the Mets the other night Benitez has enjoyed his best season with the Florida Marlins in 2004. The real good news is the Giants will pay the remainder of Benitez’s $7.6 million salary this season. Messenger was a mediocre relief pitcher with a funky curve and a flat fastball. From the Sun-Sentinel…

Mike Powers, Benitez Baltimore-based agent, confirmed the Giants have traded the embattled Benitez to the Marlins. He will join the team in Milwaukee for Friday’s game. “It doesn’t come as a surprise,” Powers said. “It’s probably good for the Giants and good for Armando.”

Benitez has a 4.67 ERA in 19 games (17 1/3 innings) with nine saves in 11 opportunities. More importantly, he has alienated himself from teammates and has become a negative force in the club house, leaving Giants general manager Brian Sabean no choice but to move him.

Welcome back Armando?

We’ll see.

Game Notes Update: The Marlins dropped the first game of the Brewers series 3-2. JJ Hardy came through late with a RBI single off Matt Lindstrom to drive the winning run in. The Marlins left 17 runners on base and had plenty of opportunities to win this one early. We’ll get em tomorrow, with Mando in the pen. Ugh?

Contract Update: The Marlins will be on the hook for just $333,333 of Armando Benitez’s salary after acquiring him from the Giants on Thursday. The Giants will pick up the remainder of the $5,076,666 he was due. That means they will have paid him about $21.17 million for 45 saves over the last three three years.

Analysis: After spending the night thinking this deal over I realized how good of a deal it can turn out to be. Our bullpen is fully stocked now with live arms and just makes the role of setup (which we have been having problems with) just that more of a smoother landing. Slotting Armando in the back end of the bullpen (assuming that’s what Fredi does) will slide all our relievers back an inning. So we now have the firepower of Pinto, Justin Miller, Tank, Henry Owens, Matt Lindstrom, Kevin Gregg, and Armando Benitez. Once C-Mart and Logan return our bullpen could be one of the best in the league. That being said I’m starting to wonder if Beinfest is planning on making a run at a CF later in the season and using one of our live bullpen arms as a bargaining chip. We will have to see.