The Marlins had two scouts watching Armando Benitez's appearance Tuesday against the A's.

It's unclear whether the Marlins and Giants have talked lately, but it is likely Benitez will be discussed at least one more time prior to Opening Day. Florida was reportedly willing to give up Yusmeiro Petit in December for Benitez and the cash to pay most of salary. If Benitez proves he's healthy this spring, the price will probably be higher.

 

RotoWorld.com

All things considered between December and now, I doubt we give up Petit now and I see no way this deal can conceivably be pulled off.

All things considered between December and now, I doubt we give up Petit now and I see no way this deal can conceivably be pulled off.

 

Even with the injuries in the rotation, I think we would still do it as long as the Giants pick up the cash. Then, if guys like Owens can prove they can do it out of the pen, you have a Benitez that could be moved later in the year for good value-unless, of course, we are right in the race and he is pitching like old.

Courtesy of mlbtraderumors.com:

 

Marlins, Mariners Interested In BenitezThis morning, Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel mentioned that the Marlins had two scouts on hand for Armando Benitez's Tuesday night appearance. The Fish would've sent scouts to his first appearance but the Giants didn't give them a heads up.

 

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. Are the Giants that desperate to get rid of him despite their questionable bullpen?

 

Then John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer mentioned today that the Mariners also had two scouts at the game. Benitez would be used to set up J.J. Putz. The Mariners are said to find Jeremy Reed and Ben Broussard expendable. For Reed, I think the Giants should make the deal. Hickey mentioned that 40 scouts were at the game because it was the only one in town. So we could probably connect Benitez to most clubs at this point.

 

Maybe the three clubs can work something out where Reed ends up a Marlin?

If AB is healthy and the Marlins want to make the deal, I'm down with that.

 

People can't have it both ways. All off-season there's been a loud chorus of complaints the FO is unwilling to commit $$ to improve the bullpen, so there shouldn't be any complaining (about the act, people of course can complain they brought in the wrong guy) if and when they do. It isn't like we're talking Frankyn German or Todd Wellemeyer again. If it costs Petit or a high prospect (and let's take Gaby and Volstad out of the mix for conversation sake) so be it.

 

If Benitez can come in and give us even 75% of what he did in 2004, that would be 35 saves (and let's say an ERA a full run higher than 2004, around 2.29), it bolsters the pen right on down the line and would be a marked improvement over our previous closer. It also gives closer candidates a veteran to learn from while affording them the opportunity to close perhaps 20-30-40% of the save opportunities without the pressure of having to do it night after night. It's a win - win.

 

I look at it this way. What's it going to cost to acquire the next Ugueth Urbina if we're in contention this year and come July everyone is looking for a monster closer? We all know the price we paid in 2003, imagine what it would be in today's dollars and players. Of course first Benitez has to be convincingly healthy, and the trade reasonable. But I for one would be thrilled to see the guy out there again "if" he can do the job.

 

And if so, do the deal sooner rather than later. We have a better chance of being in contention come July with a healthy Armando Benitez all season than half.

 

If Loria wants to open up his wallet and bring the big man back, you won't hear me complaining.

 

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I understand mlbtraderumors.com knows who killed Kennedy too.

 

We already have one Reed, we don't need another. But it's a great idea they have there. We give the Giants a pitching prospect, the Mariners get Benitez and we get Reed :banghead

 

Reed could be DFAd by the end of May at the rate he's going. Reed is working overtime this spring just to keep his OBP over the Mendoza line. We just sent Reggie down, why in the name of God would we want JR ?????

 

God, they're awful.

Don't want him now...let's go with what we got...CF is the bigger question here

If the Marlins only have to pay $1 Million and he's healthy, go for it!

If it's going to cost us Petit, than I'd rather hold off on the deal and see how Owens does, if things don't pan out with owens I don't mind paying a little extra to get a sure thing closer which can bring us compensation picks via free agency if he is not re-signed. But I say no to this deal from the get.

On the contrary, the LAST thing the Marlins should be looking for would be a 3B, SS, 2B, and starting pitching.

 

A closer is a legit need on this team. A team that blows games late (ie: 9th inning) on a consistent basis is a team who's back is broken.

 

 

There's nothing worse than owning a team for 8 innings only to watch some chump with a flat fastball blow the game.

 

 

Bring Armando back if the Giants eat a big chunk.

A month ago I would have made this deal, but knowing now that we may need Petit to start some games for us has me not wanting to give him up for a closer who is only going to give us one or two years. Then again, we still haven't seen any real sign that Petit will be succesful at the major league level. But I'd rather save our pitching prospects for a legit CFer seeing as we have no chance at having a longterm solution anytime soon, whereas closer one of the younger pitching prospects (and lord knows we have a lot) can step up and fill eventually.

On the contrary, the LAST thing the Marlins should be looking for would be a 3B, SS, 2B, and starting pitching.

 

A closer is a legit need on this team. A team that blows games late (ie: 9th inning) on a consistent basis is a team who's back is broken.

 

 

There's nothing worse than owning a team for 8 innings only to watch some chump with a flat fastball blow the game.

 

 

Bring Armando back if the Giants eat a big chunk.

Tank, Owens, Lindstrom, and Gregg will most definitely not blow 9th inning games on a consistent basis.

 

I'd even go as far to say that some of the other guys in camp would do the same.

 

There is absolutely no need to look outside for a ninth inning guy. Let alone an aging, damaged goods Armando Benitez.

Penguino you have hit the nail right on the head or so to speak...Beinfest has a fixation on a veteran being the closer, but with the talented arms that he has compiled if featured in a closer role many of them would be extremely successful. Hurry and find us a CF, please Mr. Beinfest.

Don't want him now...let's go with what we got...CF is the bigger question here

For once we agree.

 

If Loria is actually willing to be spending money, this is the last thing he should be looking at right now.

 

I seriously don't understand why the names Julio and Benitez are surfacing as rumors right now. Aside from the fact that I don't think too highly of the closer position in baseball, what conclusions are the Marlins drawing from the spring training performances of the relievers (Messenger, Owens, Lindstrom) in comparison to the CFers (Abercrombie, Sanchez, Ross). I would like to see Borchard win the job but he is by no means the ultimate solution.

 

Sounds like to me that the Marlins need to get their priorities in order.

 

 

 

 

Your post suggests that a closer is the LAST thing Loria should spend money on right now.

 

 

Is a closer not one of our top needs at this point?

 

 

A closer is in our top 3 of needs right now (A CF'r being #1 on the list).

I think it's:

1. Centerfield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Closer

Ok.

 

Then his wording was poor.

 

 

LAST implies that everywhere else needs help first.

I think it's:

1. Centerfield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Closer

:thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup

I'm tired of the ruining of all the Marlins covert operations.

 

I will not be surprised to come on here one day and find the following:

 

"Marlins scouted Babe Ruth on Sunday"

Agree with Ramp. Center field should be our main goal right now.

 

Owens and Lindstrom have looked pretty damn good so far. I think we should stick with them and see. Besides, I've heard that Benites' velocity is down significantly and with his injuries last year, I don't think its worth losing a good prospect to get him.

 

If a good CF candidate emerges, we should go for him, hard. And if it means giving up a prospect or two, so be it.

 

Are there any CF free agents left unsigned that should interest us?

Are there any CF free agents left unsigned that should interest us?

 

Are there any that doesn't?