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Marlins Still Want Benitez?

by wedge on Mar 14, 2007 11:18 AM PDT Comment 57 comments

From the Sun-Sentinal this a.m. comes speculation that the Marlins
may still want Benitez back. It's a topic we'd all discussed back in January.

It's all speculation, mind you, fueled by the presence of two Marlins scouts at Benitez's last appearance.

If the Marlins are still willing to send Yusemeiro Petit over here for Benitez, and eat some of his salary ... can you say hook, line, and sinker? That's a no-brainer positive win-win glass-half-full and any other cliches you want to throw in there.

BruteSentiment had noted reservations about Petit's role, given the Giants have pretty much filled up the rotation, if you include a place-saver for Lincecum (and that's before Russ Ortiz showed up). So be it; Petit could be trade bait, then, or maybe Ortiz could be, if he turns in a good first half.

Maybe I'm just blinded by my raging need to see Benitez go away, but the chance to unload him and get anything back seems too good to pass up. I don't know if a better offer than this will come around. One hopes Brian Sabean is doing everything he can to keep the Marlins, uh, on the hook. Did I really just use the same awful pun twice?

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

I agree. Forget for a moment how bad Armando was last season on the mound, and focus only on the clubhouse cancer element (blaming Vizquel, saying he did his job, etc. etc.). For that reason alone, he needs to be gone.

Julio Izturis, who's your daddy?

by hairball on Mar 14, 2007 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Giants need a closer

If SF were to trade Benitez they would need a closer. Wilson has yet to display the consistency needed to close at MLB.

Does the SF organization turn The LinceKid into the 2007 Papelbon? Do they attempt to live with the growing pains of Wilson? Does SF try to get by until Walker is healthy?

If SF wants to compete a consistent closer will be essential to their playoff drive.

by wilriv21 on Mar 14, 2007 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Giants need a closer

Ha....you're talking about a potential playoff drive and we aren't even halfway through March yet. Come on man. That's more than enough time to patch something together.

Proud adoptive papa of the one, the only, Omar Vizquel.

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 14, 2007 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's springtime where hope is eternal

Every season each fan believes (or wishes) his favorite team is going to have a chance to win the World Series. Heck I bet Royals fans think they have a chance. Better yet even Cardinal fans think that this is their year.

The more games you win in April and May lighten the load for the total you need to eventually win to secure a playoff berth.

SF hopes will hinge on their pitching staff. Each and every game they can successfully close will inch them closer to playoff contention.

If Benitez is traded who will they give the ball to in the ninth inning? Are they ready? Will they be consistent? Do you want Lince-K to be a starter or closer? If someone fails (and SF loses games) how will this veteran club handle this? We all know the fans will not accept failure.

by wilriv21 on Mar 15, 2007 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Giants need a closer

PLAYOFFS!? Don't talk to me about... PLAYOFFS!?

I'll take the freight train, Bengie Molina.

by Brother Bummer on Mar 14, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Giants need a closer

i just hope we can win 98 games

check, check/i be tha numba one stunna/punk ya don't want nunna/this matt hurricaine gonna/um.../uh.../strike you out

by nick on Mar 14, 2007 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Giants need a closer

The Giants not only can, but will win 98 games. I place the over/under at May 6, 2008.

by sharksrog on Mar 14, 2007 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Giants need a closer

No one does exasperated indignation quite like Jim Mora.

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain. I adopted Klesko; guess that makes me his "padre".

by Goofus on Mar 14, 2007 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Giants need a closer

I really wish I had spent more time on that one. The idea behind it sure comes up a lot.

by Grant on Mar 14, 2007 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

I still don't get why Correia doesn't seem to be considered as an option to close. I thought he was our best bullpen pitcher last year.

Anyway, if we could get Petit for him, there's no way I'd turn it down. Yes, starting pitching isn't a huge need in the organization, but there's nothing wrong with having quality depth behind the top 6 starters in the system. Not to mention, as awful as the idea may seem, there's nothing that says that Cain, Lincecum, Lowry and Sanchez are all guaranteed to be quality starting pitchers in the future. Nothing wrong with having a few more options, IMO.

Proud Member of the Adopt-a-Giant program (Matt Cain)

by jponry on Mar 14, 2007 12:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

TRUTH

PITCHER - ERA/K/BB/IP

Benitez - 3.52/31/21/38 (plus 57 BS)
Kline - 3.66/33/26/52
Wilson - 5.40/23/21/30
Chulk - 5.24/25/15/22
CORREIA - 3.49/57/22/70

Correia was by far the brightest spot in our otherwise atrocious bullpen last year, and he's got the best peripherals for a closer's role - the fact that nobody else even got close to 2.0 K/BB is pathetic. I understand Wilson's got upside but there's no reason to judge him as a better bet than Correia at this point.

Unless, of course, you hate the way closers are used and want to see our best reliever come on in the 7th inning. Might not be the worst idea actually.

check, check/i be tha numba one stunna/punk ya don't want nunna/this matt hurricaine gonna/um.../uh.../strike you out

by nick on Mar 14, 2007 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

Really? Benitez blew 57 saves? As a Giant Benitez is 36 for 48 which is just 12 blown saves. Try actually telling the truth. By the way, in 1999 Nen had simular results as a Giant saving 37 in 46 chances with again a very simular ERA of 3.98 vs Benitez's Giants ERA of 3.95.

by giantsrainman on Mar 14, 2007 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

Hmm, someone can't take a joke. Oh, and good job picking Nen's worst season as a Giant to compare. His other seasons with the Giants? ERA: 1.52, 1.50, 3.01, 2.20. He had 40 or more saves in each of those four seasons. His K/BB rate was at least 3 in each of those seasons.

Are you actually comparing two injury plagued, bad seasons with Robb Nen's one pretty good season? You have a strange definition of truth.

Mark Sweeney: supplying Giants clubhouses since 2006.

by scotterduder on Mar 14, 2007 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

My whole point was that we only have a small sample size on Benitez as a Giant and if we look at a simular small sample size of Nen we see they are the same in these two equally small sample sizes. Benitez's career (like Nen's career) says their is every reason to expect more from Benitez like we got more from Nen. Only your bias driven by your hatred drives you to conclude otherwise.

by giantsrainman on Mar 14, 2007 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

You're awfully petulant for mid-March.

by Dan from NM on Mar 14, 2007 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

I don't think I've ever alluded to hating Benitez at all, but I suppose you're grouping me in with the many people on this board who do seem to hate him. Which isn't that unfair, I guess, but I don't think "bias driven by hatred" is an accurate way to describe the way I used statistics to make a point.

Mark Sweeney: supplying Giants clubhouses since 2006.

by scotterduder on Mar 14, 2007 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

Wait a minute...wait just a God-damned minute!!

I don't hate 'Mando.

My bias doesn't make me think any different of him.

I just want him dead! I despise that piece of crap and every one of his lame excuses for how he couldn't get the job done.

Oh...I did my job.

Did you fatty? Did you really?

Proud adoptive papa of the one, the only, Omar Vizquel.

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 15, 2007 3:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

I guess the key would be to be able to get the best man ready for the key job of the day without running the risk of having one's relievers constantly getting up and down. But you are absolutely right that a game's key situation is nearly as likely to arise in the seventh as in the ninth inning.

by sharksrog on Mar 14, 2007 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: TRUTH

but are we in agreement that the best man for the key job, 7th or 9th, is Correia? Based on the defense/luck-independent stats, Wilson and Chulk were just as likely to have ERAs 2 pts lower, Kline and Benitez just as likely to have them 2 pts higher. If there's any relief pitcher who can be counted on it's the one who can get his K/BB above 2.0 and Correia's the only one I'm expecting that from right now.

check, check/i be tha numba one stunna/punk ya don't want nunna/this matt hurricaine gonna/um.../uh.../strike you out

by nick on Mar 15, 2007 4:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

the problem is if you trade him to the Marlins, you have to eat his salary. And if they're eating his salary, the Marlins have to do alot better than Yusmeiro Petit, who had an ERA last year that even Armando could never accomplish. I would insist on Mike Jacobs if I were the Giants. I think Sabean should play it cool right now, as it looks like more teams are jumping in on a daily basis. Hopefully none of them will ask why the Giants are so anxious to get rid of him when they don't have a solid backup option.

closest thing Armando has to a fan and I'm not that wild about him either

by rxmeister on Mar 14, 2007 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

IT's not March Madness, it's MANDO MADNESS........

First the Marlins, then the Red Sox, and now the Mariners are interested:

"Benitez draws Mariners' interest

Reliever Armando Benitez, who is reportedly available in a trade from San Francisco. drew a huge crowd of scouts when he pitched for the Giants Tuesday night against Oakland."

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/archives/112766.asp

So I am starting to think we may get something useful for this guy.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 14, 2007 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Richie Sexson is having a lousy spring...

by rotorueter on Mar 14, 2007 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

You know, this almost makes sense. Sexson's contract makes him an albatross, and the M's have Broussard on hand anyway. Benitez + Niekro + an arm for Sexson could help both teams.

by Evan on Mar 14, 2007 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

We'd probably have to pair Sweeney with Benitez to make our roster add up, but yeah, that's basically the idea.

Who dat is? That's just Ortmeier's daddy.

by rotorueter on Mar 14, 2007 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Whoa there, not so fast with the dumping of Sweeney...unless I get a half-stake in Sexson, that is.

Mark Sweeney: supplying Giants clubhouses since 2006.

by scotterduder on Mar 14, 2007 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Richie also got off to a very slow start last season, striking out in even greater abundance than usual. But suddenly he put together a 5-for-5 day around midseason and stayed pretty hot the rest of the way.

by sharksrog on Mar 14, 2007 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Holy crap, guys, strike while the iron is hot. Please.

Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Not boring: Emmanuel Burriss. Not fascist: SF Dugout

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 14, 2007 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Perhaps it's just the strong gravitational pull.

Mandowear | comics | Sugarman FTW

by Natto on Mar 14, 2007 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

With apparent interest from multiple teams after two "successful" ST appearances, it's tempting to think that a third scoreless inning would tip one team over into making an offer. Therefore, it seems logical to think of Arrghmando's next appearance as the equivalent of his coming in to start the ninth inning of a meaningful game with the Giants holding a two run lead. Hmmmm....I wonder what will happen.

by sularz on Mar 14, 2007 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Uh, yeah, I don't think the Marlins would give up Yusmeiro Petit for Benitez.

DFA Everybody

by JakeS on Mar 14, 2007 1:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

To be fair thats the rumor that I've heard a few times too. I seem to like Petit more than most here and I'd do a trade for Petit pretty damn quick.

by xanthan on Mar 14, 2007 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

I think they'd make that trade, if they didn't have to pay Mando's salary. Petit was hot stuff a couple of years ago, but he has a pretty low ceiling, and they've got plenty of other young pitchers.

They should really be focused on finding a center fielder, though.

by Evan on Mar 14, 2007 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

There's also a rumor of Mariners being willing to give up Jeremy Reed for Benitez. There was also a report the other day of the Marlins looking at Jorge Julio for closer.

by Roger on Mar 14, 2007 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

How about Hennessey (5th starter canidate for Marlins with Josh Johnson on the DL), Ellison (righthanded Sanchez platoon partner caniditate in CF for Marlins), Niekro (righthanded Jacobs platoon partner canidate at 1B for Marlins) and Benitez (Closer for Marlins) for Tankersley and Petit to add to our bullpen mix?

by giantsrainman on Mar 14, 2007 1:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

There's no way they'd give up Tankersley for that assortment of Benitez and future possible waiver wire candidates.

Proud Member of the Adopt-a-Giant program (Matt Cain)

by jponry on Mar 14, 2007 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

You are not understanding how little value that Marlins seem to actually give to Tankersley. If they valued him rightly they wouldn't even be considering getting Benitez to close. The Marlins seem to have pigion holed Tankersley as just a lefty specialist (more appearances last year then innings ala Steve Kline). I think he can be had for such a collection because the Marlins clearly undervalue him.

by giantsrainman on Mar 14, 2007 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Tankersley is also a bit of a health risk as he has yet to pitch this sping and may not be ready by opening day.

by giantsrainman on Mar 14, 2007 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

The reason they're looking to trade for Benitez is not because they don't trust Tankersley, but because Tankersley has had health problems so far this Spring. In addition, it's not like by trading for Benitez they'd be blocking Tankersley for the rest of his career. Benitez only has one year left on his contract.

And all the reports I have heard is that the Marlins believe that Tankersley is their best in-house option to close.

Proud Member of the Adopt-a-Giant program (Matt Cain)

by jponry on Mar 14, 2007 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

They were interested in Benitez way before Tankersley's health problems became evident. The Marlin's just wrongly do not see Tankersley as anything more then a lefty specialist.

by giantsrainman on Mar 14, 2007 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Whether they do or not, I promise you that they are not going to give up a 24 year old power lefty who struck out more than a batter per inning last year for Hennessey, Niekro and Ellison.

And like I said, interest in Benitez does not preclude them from viewing Tankersley as a valuable member of their future bullpen. Benitez is on a one year deal. Perhaps they would prefer Tankersley to ease into the closer's job.

Also, his usage pattern doesn't really look like that of a lefty specialist. In fact, he faced more righties than lefties last year and he even performed better against right handed batters.

Larry Beinfest is not an idiot. Even if they aren't ready to hand Tankersley the closer's job, that doesn't mean they are looking to trade him for a RHP who can't strike anyone out and two mediocre position players who are more than likely going to be available on the waiver wire by the end of Spring Training.

Proud Member of the Adopt-a-Giant program (Matt Cain)

by jponry on Mar 14, 2007 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

We don't disagree on the abilities of Tankersley but we do disagree on the value each of us thinks the Marlins give to Tankersley. I also think you undervalue the interest the Marlins would have in all three of Hennessey, Ellison, and Niekro.

by giantsrainman on Mar 14, 2007 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

If I were the Marlins, I don't think I would trade Tankersley for Benitez, Hennessey, Ellison and Niekro.

by sharksrog on Mar 15, 2007 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I were the Marlins

I would insist on throwing in Cabrera and Dontrelle to make the trade fair.

Steve Kline: He probably won't be terrible

by groug on Mar 15, 2007 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Mando may not be the only reliever on the Marlins radar...

"Florida on Monday sent a scout to Hi Corbett Field to watch Jorge Julio, who retired six of the seven batters he faced in two scoreless innings against Colorado regulars. He walked Kaz Matsui."

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/85735

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 14, 2007 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

It's Mando Mania

With Barry back, what could go wrong?

by Rusty the Mechanical Man on Mar 14, 2007 5:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

He's not your Mando.
He's not my Mando.
He's Ar-Mando.

Defender of Noah Lowry.

by Kid Fresh on Mar 14, 2007 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Marlins? Mando like fish!

With Barry back, what could go wrong?

by Rusty the Mechanical Man on Mar 14, 2007 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

At first I read this as "Mando-like fish" and thought, God damn, that must be a big fish.

Coming to you by proxy (I adopted: Dave Righetti!)

by howtheyscored on Mar 14, 2007 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Manatee Mando

commonly referred to as sea cows.

Save Matt Morris. Save The Pitchers. Save The World.

by E Ticket on Mar 14, 2007 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Manatee Mando

That's just mean.

by Manatee on Mar 14, 2007 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Manatee Mando

Well, at least he didn't say "propeller bait."

Or is that too callous even for a joke?

Coming to you by proxy (I adopted: Dave Righetti!)

by howtheyscored on Mar 14, 2007 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deap Sea Puree

Propeller Bait isn't Manatee for long, chum.

by Moggeee on Mar 15, 2007 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mariners Say No

well... dang.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/archives/112817.asp

by wedge on Mar 15, 2007 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Mariners Say No

Don't you hate it when people come to their senses at exactly the wrong time?

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain. I adopted Klesko; guess that makes me his "padre".

by Goofus on Mar 15, 2007 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Mariners Say No

Yeah, really! Of all the times for Bavasi to decide to lay off the booze...another week of bingeing and we could've gotten that deal done.

You're nobody 'til everybody in
this town thinks you're a Matos

by EliminateMe on Mar 15, 2007 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Mariners Say No

Man, Bavasi not wanting someone that Sabean is practically giving away. It might not get any lower for Brian Sabean.

Randy Winn > Hurricanes

by Punch Rockgroin on Mar 15, 2007 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Marlins Still Want Benitez?

Do you think the Giants new interest in Jorge Julio is because they don't want the Marlins to get him?? If the Marlins pull off that deal, the Giants might not have anyone desperate enough to deal for Armando. Armando is pitching today after Cain and Lincecum so it should be interesting to see how he does. Remember the good old days (before he came to the Giants) when Armando would be the flamethrower that closed out the game?? Now he's the soft tossing reliever who's following the hard throwers.

closest thing Armando has to a fan and I'm not that wild about him either

by rxmeister on Mar 16, 2007 7:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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