Community Projection: Armando Benitez

by Grant Brisbee on Mar 12, 2007 8:41 AM PDT in News

Armando Benitez had a great spring opener, as he's already coming with the strikeouts and 90MPH+ fastball. He came to camp with the body of a Greek god¹, a passion to make more money, and a mirror to put in the dugout so he can remind himself that, doggone it, people like him. In the five stages of Armando grief, Giants fans are still at "bargaining." So what if the past two seasons have been financial and performance disasters from our lead dog in the bullpen. We'll now take just one good season from the ornery fellow. Just one good season out of the life of the contract, that isn't too much to ask, right? I remember the same plea toward the end of Edgardo Alfonzo's decomposition. Just because you wish it hard enough doesn't mean it will come true.

Last year's prediction was a mess. It was like a ray of sunshine rubbing up against you in a subway car. What an awful mess of a season. People who don't follow the Giants will never understand, either. "What's the big deal, you whiny dorks? Benitez wasn't perfect, but he still had an ERA under 4.00." Oh, how ERA doesn't tell the entire story in this case. Here are some other stats that tell the rest of the story:

Appearances: 44
Blown saves: 45

I'm on a train right now, so I don't have an internet connection, but I'm pretty sure those stats are 100% accurate. It wasn't just the pile of blown saves, it was also the timing. Dodger games, games that would have prevented a sweep, games that would have clinched a sweep, games when the Giants were still above .500, games when the Giants' hopes were long gone. And yet the blown save for which Benitez is most famous is a game against the Giants in a game the Giants didn't even win. How is that fair?

But I'm an obvious idiot, because I'm again going to project something better than a complete meltdown.

Armando Benitez

ERA: 3.31
S: 35
BS: 6
IP: 62
K: 57
BB: 27
HR: 8
Food or weight jokes in this thread alone: 38

I'll take the contract year as the motivating factor, even though I usually find that theory to be completely bogus and simplistic. Note that if the Giants somehow make the playoffs, Benitez will ruin the entire season. It might make sense to pick the Giants to win the division just so Benitez can ruin the entire season. You have to know it would feel oh-so-right.

¹ Criscokis, god of partially hydrogenated oils.

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Comments

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Probably the toughest projection yet. I can't justify good expectations for this pile of crap. Don't get mad at me, I'm just doing my job. Grant was clearly out of position with his projection.

ERA: 4.11
S: 16
BS: 6
IP: 42
K: 35
BB: 26
HR: 7
Buffet lines destroyed: 17 (37 to go)

Vote for Pedro...to be DFA'd!

by W8ingForATitle on Mar 12, 2007 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Hahaha...You're a funny one there Grant. Do you honestly thing he can convert 85% of his save opportunities this year? The only way that happens is if someone clues him into the little known fact that an endless supply of gummi-bears, licorice ropes, and gigantic straws of colored sugar await him after every 3 up/3 down save.

Oh, and Omar might not be lined up in the right spot...that's good for another 5-6 blown saves isn't it? Damn Omar, never has played a decent shortstop. Can't we bring back Cody Ransom or something? I hear that Pedro can play there too.

Hats for bats, keep bats warm !

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 12, 2007 9:58 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I agree that Grant likely took his numbers from the 80th or 90th percentile of what we can expect from Armando Benitez. But let's be fair here. Armando has been injured during his two seasons with the Giants and has performed poorly (although probably not AS poorly as we have viewed his performances). But when he came to the Giants he HAD converted on 85% of his career save opportunities and had almost the same career save percentage as Robb Nen posted.

We can definitely hold it against Armando that he has gotten so far overweight. But we should also remember how hard he worked to come back from a very serious injury in 2005 and that he likely came back too early in his quest to help the Giant make the playoffs.

by sharksrog on Mar 12, 2007 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I applaud your fairness and breadth of analysis. It would be so simple to just say something inflammatory and gain the approval of everyone one this board. It is not that simple. Bravo

by allfrank on Mar 12, 2007 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I'm not flaming him to gain the approval from anyone around here. Before I posted, I too had seen his 75% conversion rate in 2003, his 92% in 2004, and his 82% the first year here in S.F.

All things being said, I'm more than willing to write-off this idiot until I'm proven otherwise. The closer role, unlike just about every other is a "what have you done for me lately" kind of position. I, for one, am not ready to get behind our fatty closer until he's converting saves and keeping his damn mouth shut.

Hats for bats, keep bats warm !

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 12, 2007 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

"All things being said, I'm more than willing to write-off this idiot until I'm proven otherwise."

Now THIS is an incredible line. It essentially says that I am more than willing to write off this idiot until I am proven not to be one myself. :)

by sharksrog on Mar 12, 2007 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

hmmm...You have a point there.

Isn't it fairly obvious that my command of the english language is about as accurate as 'Mando's command of the strike zone? I'm hit and miss, but you won't see me blaming it on anyone other than myself.

Hats for bats, keep bats warm !

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 12, 2007 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Learn Armando 101

"I think the preposition was out of position."

by Moggeee on Mar 12, 2007 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Learn Armando 101

Don't look to me for help. I thought he was referring to Grant when he talked about "writing off this idiot". :-)

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

by Goofus on Mar 13, 2007 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Seems to me...

(and I could be wrong) ... that any league-average pitcher should be able to convert over 80% of save opportunities if installed as "closer" -- i.e. always put in to protect a lead of 1-3 runs for the ninth inning.
So probably 'Mando won't come close.

by giantnitpick on Mar 12, 2007 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Seems to me...

The percentage of saves a closer will complete depends not only on the closer himself, but the difficulty of his save opportunities. I agree that given the overall general simplicity of the average save situation, most pitchers should be able to save 80% or close thereto. 90% is probably elite. 85% very good. 80% average. 75% below average.

Teams overall don't have that high a conversion rate, since when a pitcher blows a hold, he is charged with a blown save. Many relievers are given the chance to officially blow a save that they weren't going to be allowed to complete anyway.

by sharksrog on Mar 12, 2007 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Seems to me...

"Many relievers are given the chance to officially blow a save that they weren't going to be allowed to complete anyway."

Well put, rog. And concise. It usually takes me four paragraphs to make this point.

This is why Scott Linebrink is 3-for-22 at converting save opportunities in his career. But if he ever becomes a closer, it won't stop radio hosts from screaming "How can a guy who has saved less than 14% of his chances possibly be our closer!!!"

"Robb Nen is going to get you" - Benito Santiago to Chipper Jones, 10/7/02

by Pants Man on Mar 12, 2007 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Recent Statistical Anal - y - sis Shows...

...that Mando does indeed have an 80% success rate as a closer.

Of buffet lines.

Then it all came rushing back to me - like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist!

by victor frankenstein on Mar 12, 2007 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I definitely could not bring myself to give him a decent projection. Maybe he'll be motivated by his contract year, but I really think he's just done.

ERA: 5.37
S: 8
BS: 4
IP: 17
K: 15
BB: 14
HR: 4

Goes on the DL in mid-May with a case of "extreme suck" and never returns.

LicensetoPills: they say this to my family. to barry bonds family. and i say, "i'll bust you up. here is a candy corn."

by jponry on Mar 12, 2007 10:08 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

And hey, speaking of which... rotoworld has the following rumor:

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Red Sox have asked the Giants about acquiring Armando Benitez.
"I've heard the rumors," Benitez said. "That's all right. I can't think about that. I just have to get myself ready. I know what I can do. When I'm healthy, there aren't too many people who can do what I do." The Giants would pay a portion of Benitez's salary if it meant getting a quality prospect in return for him. The Red Sox surely will want to see more from Benitez this spring before they consider giving up legitimate talent.

I'd be down with that. If he can keep up what he did yesterday and fool the Red Sox into thinking he doesn't totally suck, maybe we could get one of their C+/B- prospects out of it.

LicensetoPills: they say this to my family. to barry bonds family. and i say, "i'll bust you up. here is a candy corn."

by jponry on Mar 12, 2007 10:11 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Blow-netiz for Dice-K and it's a done deal.

Blow-netiz for some pine tar and a Manny's jockstrap...that works too.

Hats for bats, keep bats warm !

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 12, 2007 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Killing two birds with one stone there! Sending Senor Blownitez to a team I loathe to have him eff up their stuff, and getting rid of the fat load? Best scenario ever!

I guess they really have no other option at closer. They couldn't get Cordero from the Nats. Papelbon's starting. Everyone else they've asked to close is broken or gone. Burn.

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

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 12, 2007 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

If the Red Sox would absorb all of Armando's salary, it might be worth trading him for a "D" prospect.

by sharksrog on Mar 12, 2007 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

Might as well go for a pair of D's.

Pamela Anderson.

by Moggeee on Mar 12, 2007 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Agreed

Has. Not. Aged. Gracefully.

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

by howtheyscored on Mar 12, 2007 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Yet...

She's much better looking these days than Anna Nicole Smith.

by Moggeee on Mar 13, 2007 2:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

The Red Sox want to see more of Armando?
Try after lunch...

Then it all came rushing back to me - like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist!

by victor frankenstein on Mar 12, 2007 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Should we rather predict when Benitez will be traded and/or lose his closer "job?"

Question presented to me last night at dinner: Is Benitez still closer come May 1?

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

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 12, 2007 10:21 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I'll take the under. Er, the "pre." Oh, you know what I mean.

Avoid the rush later - join the Waiting for Josh Vitters bandwagon now!

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Mar 13, 2007 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

54 IP
15 runs allowed
2.50 ERA
54 Ks
18 BB
4 HR
27 saves
6 blown saves
6 wins
1 loss
Better than Joel Pineiro

Saving countless runs with my defense

by lyricalkiller on Mar 12, 2007 10:43 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I like this projection for what it says about the Giants defense. NO unearned runs while Armando is pitching. I'll take it!

by sharksrog on Mar 12, 2007 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Amazing what our Giants can achieve while playing out of position, ain't it?

I own my own business and I'm a giants fan; being a Giants fan is harder.

by hairball on Mar 12, 2007 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I predict that Benitez will not close a single game for the giants.

His spring training line will continue to look good, and he'll end up on another team, likely the Marlins or Redsox I suppose, by season's start.

Why am I so sure of this? I really don't think Giants management wants to be seen as taking his numerous disparaging remarks lying down. In the end, I think the team cancer element wins out over the quality control- whether he's good or bad, I can't see them keeping him.

So, for another team, I see him posting the following:

35 IP
32 Ks
18 BB
7 HR
15 saves
7 blown saves
A fine ERA
And too many wins for a closer

There will be no 2008 for Benitez, with any team.

I own my own business and I'm a giants fan; being a Giants fan is harder.

by hairball on Mar 12, 2007 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I'll agree the ball of hair's prediction; Robinson and Ralph were talking the other day about how the Giants are doing everything they can to make the guy tradable and that Sabean is intent on unloading him.

If they can't trade him, I wouldn't be surprised if he's DFA'd.

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain.

by Goofus on Mar 12, 2007 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Yeah, what you and the Wookie say.

Save The Pitcher. Save The World

by E Ticket on Mar 12, 2007 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I have no idea if Benitez is going to be in the Giants Bullpen or how well Benitez (or for that matter an other potential member of the Giants Bullpen) is individually going to do. But you can take it to the bank that the Giants Bullpen will collectively look something like the following:

IP: 434 (thank God the Rotation will pitch 1024!)
BB: 182
HBP: 20
Hits: 434
SO: 324
HR: 49
WHIP: 1.42
ERA 4.54
S0/BB: 1.78
Saves: 42 (last year 37)
BS: 23 (last year 22)

This is not a strength of the Giants with or without Benitez and getting rid of Benitiz neither hurts or improves the bullpen.

by giantsrainman on Mar 12, 2007 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

I see an evil trend

Criscokis covers Mt. Olympus with his oily presence, but he is served by the vestal virgins Kleskokis and Molinus, as well as a minor god, Thighbogus.

ERA: 4.21
S: 12
BS: 5
IP: 34
K: 24
BB: 21
HR: 7

Past performance and sure injury predicts this mess.

(As well as the natural physical decline of a player that never cared about conditioning in the first place.)

by Moggeee on Mar 12, 2007 11:26 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

lbs at end of season: 325
blown saves: 8
waist line at end of season: 48
notches on belt used: none, he will be the first ballplayer in history to use suspendors for his uniform
number of meals in the bullpen for him to eat: 4 (not including any appetizers he might have, like steak, fried chicken, etc.)
chairs he will break in the clubhouse: 5 (by the all-star break)
games he won't pitch in, but should because he is the "closer": 40
number of times i will give him the finger this year: 100
benitez being traded to the dodgers because colleti wants only ex-giants on his team: priceless

Damn it, why isn't Rush in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

by Cynema the Band on Mar 12, 2007 11:56 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

The visions of him in suspenders (on the outside of his jersey, no less) cracks me up. Well done!

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain.

by Goofus on Mar 12, 2007 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Suspenders... nice.

by stress on Mar 12, 2007 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions

OT: Great signature line!

They have to stop playing for five years.

Then it all came rushing back to me - like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist!

by victor frankenstein on Mar 12, 2007 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: OT: Great signature line!

You mean they haven't?

Never mind whatever I do!!! Fan is my tresure!!!

by leftymalo on Mar 13, 2007 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

waiting for E to show

in the meantime, though...

Armando Benitez will not play a regular season game for the Giants. he'll either be traded (youkilis plz thk u) or he'll tear an ass muscle walking off the mound like 05. We'll open the season with a committee of Correia, Wilson and Tyler (aside: UHS what), with one of them winning the job outright by june first, probably Kev. If it doesnt work we deal someone at the deadline. Feliz for ?, or ? for somebody decent? it sh/could all go down

Anyway, for posterity's sake here's Mandos' #s with the Sox/Fish:

IP=34
ERA=2.67
RA=5.75
K=11
BB=19
HR=sideways 8, ad infinitum
SV=2
BS=19
W-L= 7-10
times mcab/papi gives him the cold hard smack he deserves=14

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 @ McCovey Chronicles on Mar 12, 2007 11:56 AM PDT reply actions

Re: waiting for E to show

Does he have any ass muscle to tear? Someone call the "Mythbusters" guys to invistigate.

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain.

by Goofus on Mar 12, 2007 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: waiting for E to show

My son's college buddy won a Mythbuster contest and got to appear on the show. Even better, someone who saw him there offered him a consulting job!

by sharksrog on Mar 12, 2007 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Hamburgers eatten by Natto drawing: Infinite -- it keeps going and going and going...

With Barry back, what could go wrong?

by Rusty the Mechanical Man on Mar 12, 2007 11:58 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I wouldn't be surprised if he were traded. There is something to be said for getting rid of him because of his immaturity and inflammatory statements last year. I think it largely depends on whether the veterans on the team say he has to go or that they could deal with him if he stays.
I think it is more likely he stays. 1) We have to pay the $7 mil anyway, 2) Wilson is not ready, 3) Management, whether right or wrong, see Correia as a set up guy, 4) It is too harmful for the long term - as well as too uncertain as far as results - to put Sanchez or Lincecum in that spot, 5) Benitez does seem healthy, 6) and if the regained health of his knees/legs is born out by continued effective pitching, he is far better than the alternative, since, 7) you just don't trade for closers at mid season.

by allfrank on Mar 12, 2007 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Just lose him! I don't care if it's a trade or a DFA or whatever, just don't make me have to have that horrible sinking feeling of inevitable disaster again!

My vote is for Brian Wilson to take over - if nonly for the headline opportunities!

I used to be disgusted, but now I try to be amused!

by PLUChris on Mar 12, 2007 12:48 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I worry that Benitez will stay healthy all season, but his declining SO rate will hurt him.

IP: 62
ERA: 4.45
SO: 47
BB: 26
S: 24
BS: 13

I also really hope that if he's blowing saves at that rate he'll be removed from the closer job, but I'll believe it when I see it happen.

My VORP is higher than your VORP.

by Poe on Mar 12, 2007 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

If Ortiz doesn't cut it, let's make Mando the 5th starter. Your 5th starter should be an innings eater. 1 out of 2 ain't bad.

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain.

by Goofus on Mar 12, 2007 1:17 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Mando doesn't eat innings...he prolongs the sh*t out of them.

Then it all came rushing back to me - like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist!

by victor frankenstein on Mar 12, 2007 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Outdoor Chef

Armando puts innings on the grill to plump 'em up.

by Moggeee on Mar 13, 2007 2:24 AM PDT up reply actions

E Projection: Armando Benitez

12 Number of beds, shit
468 Number of Hershey bars eaten before ninth inning
36 Number of pounds each Mando burger weighs
45 Number of times booed leaving game
45 Number of times booed entering game
90 Number of times booed warming up
162 Number of times booed entering clubhouse
162 Number of times booed leaving clubhouse
81 Number of times Whoopee Cushion placed under seat on team bus.
81 Number of Whoopee Cushion Sandwiches eaten.
81 Number of Team Buses eaten
0 Number of times Omar takes him to dinner
0 Number of regular season games pitched in Giants uniform
Priceless Any Giant game in which El Mando is not on the roster

Save The Pitcher. Save The World

by E Ticket on Mar 12, 2007 1:28 PM PDT reply actions

Re: E Projection: Armando Benitez

Omar can't take Mando to dinner if Mando ate him for dinner. Or a snack. Omar's not that big.

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

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 12, 2007 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: E Projection: Armando Benitez

At the restaurant, does Mando complain if the silverware is out of position?

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain.

by Goofus on Mar 12, 2007 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: E Projection: Armando Benitez

He can't do his job without a dessert fork.

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

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 12, 2007 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: E Projection: Armando Benitez

Dessert Fork is a literal translation for El Mando. Meaning the silverware goes down the gullet with the last bite of crisco sorbet and chocolate flavored 20/50 wt pennzoil

Save The Pitcher. Save The World

by E Ticket on Mar 12, 2007 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

And after he's wiped out the kitchen...

"What else they got?"

Then it all came rushing back to me - like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist!

by victor frankenstein on Mar 12, 2007 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: E Projection: Armando Benitez

does he know what silverware is? i mean most of the time while he is warming up he is licking his fingers and he's got buffalo wing sauce on his jersey.

Damn it, why isn't Rush in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

by Cynema the Band on Mar 12, 2007 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

ERA: 3.22
S: 33
BS: 5
IP: 62
K: 54
BB: 23
HR: 8

I'm not looking forward to watching the guy, but I'm really starting to think it would be a mistake to trade him now. If he's healthy, he's going to be pretty good, and the Giants' bullpen needs all the help it can get. And having the "proven closer" come in for the ninth takes a lot of pressure off all the younger pitchers (and the manager).

by Evan on Mar 12, 2007 1:28 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

The Red Sox trade sounds intriguing. In light of the above comments, I'm of two minds:

SF ERA: 3.31......Boston ERA 3.67
S: 35.............Boston S: 35
BS: 9.............Boston BS: 4
IP: 56............Boston IP: 60
K: 56.............Boston K: 71
BB: 22............Boston BB: 28
HR: 6.............Boston HR: 11

That assumes some reasonable degree of health. Yeah, if he's a closer on a decent team, he'll get his 35 saves anywhere. I think his ERA would be higher in the AL, and he'd give up more homers and more walks, but strangely, fewer blown saves (he'd be rescued in the bottom of the 9th more often).

A trade to Boston would be worth Armando's weight in gold to the radio talk show hosts there, eventually.

Avoid the rush later - join the Waiting for Josh Vitters bandwagon now!

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Mar 12, 2007 1:34 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Isn't the reason for the higher ERA in the AL because of the DH? If so, I wouldn't think it would affect a closer because they hardly ever pitch to pitchers. (In a save situation, the other team would pinch hit, right?)

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain.

by Goofus on Mar 12, 2007 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

that's one factor yes,
the other is that the AL (and specifically the AL East) is stacked with a lot more hitting talent than the national league (and specifically the NL West). He'd see a lot more tough hitters if he pitched for Boston.

by fwoty oz on Mar 12, 2007 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Isn't it a blown save whether or not the team comes back to win the game in the ninth? You can get a blown save and a win in the same game I believe.

My VORP is higher than your VORP.

by Poe on Mar 12, 2007 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

yes

Save The Pitchers. Save my stepchildren Matt and Russ. Save The World.

by E Ticket on Mar 12, 2007 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Well , let's just make it a Manlaw...no , a Mandolaw...that anyone but he can.

Then it all came rushing back to me - like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist!

by victor frankenstein on Mar 12, 2007 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

ERA: 4.03
S: 30
BS: 9
IP: 54
K: 45
BB: 28
HR: 8

My Brian Wilson projections look remarkably similar, but a little worse on every ratio. Wilson is young enough to hope for improved control, but those three walks last Thursday weren't particularly encouraging. (For all of Armando's meltdowns, he has never issued three unintentional walks in a game as a Giant.)

I'm not sure why Kevin Correia's name isn't a part of this conversation more often... dude had 31 K's, 5 walks and only one homer allowed in the second half of the season.

"Robb Nen is going to get you" - Benito Santiago to Chipper Jones, 10/7/02

by Pants Man on Mar 12, 2007 2:52 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I concur. I have been on the Correia closer bandwagon for awhile now.

by atleehammer and sickle on Mar 12, 2007 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I concur concur. Seeing Correia or even the Chulkster try to close out a game would give me a lot less heartburn than Mando.

Biggest mankinder in the history of no brain.

by Goofus on Mar 12, 2007 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

(Stats w/ Giants)
IP: 29
S: 18
BS: 4
K: 18
BB: 16
ERA: 4.30
Traded: On July 6, for Shane Victorino.

David
SPORTSZILLA - kickass sports writing

by David A. Arnott on Mar 12, 2007 2:58 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Partially hydrogenated oils? Listen, Mando doesn't touch the stuff unless it's completely hydrogenated.

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

by howtheyscored on Mar 12, 2007 7:26 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

the count of mucho-crisco?

by The Gene Hackman on Mar 13, 2007 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Benitez bathing in the deep fryer

The Count of Mucho Crisco

Hack, that's so good it should lead off the Wiki.

It captures everything: It's a Fat Joke, it's literary, it's latinized, it's got pitching jargon, it has local nostalgia (Montefusco), and best of all, it's got transfats.

Can we give Hack a field promotion and a Silver Star simultaneously?

by Moggeee on Mar 13, 2007 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Benitez bathing in the deep fryer

sure, it's whimsical.
sure, it's relevant.
But, alas, brevity is the essence of wit.
He shall always be Blownitez.

But, anyroad, thanks for the nod.

by The Gene Hackman on Mar 13, 2007 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Count me in the trade-is-most-likely camp but, if he has a good spring and we are willing to eat some of the contract, I think there will be other suitors besides the Red Sox so we might have enough competition to get a real prospect. Another possibility would a swap of sucky closers in the hope both will benefit from new scenery. Part of the problem here is that really good closers who are reliable for many years -- Rivera, Hoffman-level closers as opposed to one year wonders like Turnbow and Lidge -- are rare commodities. The chances that Sabean can come up with anyone we will want to watch for a whole season are slim. We were spoiled by Nen and Beck.

by NearestNorwich on Mar 12, 2007 8:07 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Armando Benitez is fat.

Steve Kline: He probably won't be terrible

by groug on Mar 12, 2007 8:19 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Like it or not, Amando is right! We don't have anyone better. Wilson is not ready and may never be ready. The only exception is Lincecum and do any of you really want to see him used as a closer?

You all are just blinded to reality by your hatred of Armando just as the Bonds haters are.

by giantsrainman on Mar 12, 2007 9:08 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I think both Wilson and Correia could put up the numbers Benitez has the past two seasons. If we're going to have an unreliable headcase closer, I'd rather he NOT be paid millions. The Giants are spending 7 million for Matt Herges production. Unacceptable.

Randy Winn > Hurricanes

by Punch Rockgroin on Mar 12, 2007 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

So what do you think about Correia, Chulk, Hennessey, Kline (yikes), or Sadler?

I mean, this is obviously in descending order and starts to get pretty sketchy when people's names stop starting with the letter C, but Correia and Chulk are both pretty viable options to close if Benitez is unloaded and Wilson blows.

That's a plan AND a backup plan, even assuming that our current plans A and B (Benitez and Wilson, respectively) just plain don't cut it.

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

by howtheyscored on Mar 12, 2007 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

I don't think any of them have any expectation to be any better then Benitez in 2007 and none of them will have careers that will come anywhere close to Bentitez's sucess.

by giantsrainman on Mar 13, 2007 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Community Projection: Armando Benitez

Career, schmrareer. Benitez 2007 could go any which way of a hundred, and 77 of them aren't pretty. Those 23 others are somewhat appealing, I admit, but just for health and consistency sake I see Chulk or Correia with better chances of pitching effectively all year.

Neither of their upsides may be as large as Mando's potential upside, but the chance that he'll continue his downward injury ridden spiral of the last two years rather than reclaiming past glory is bigger than I want to risk when there are other, viable options to choose from.

Just my opinion, though.

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

by howtheyscored on Mar 13, 2007 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions