MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Despite former closer Henry Owens rejoining the team and news of a trade involving Armando Benitez, Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said Kevin Gregg will remain the closer. "Kevin's going to be the guy who is going to be closing for us," Gonzalez said Thursday night before the Marlins lost 4-3 to the the Milwaukee Brewers. "I think he deserves that opportunity."

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-m...p&type=lgns

Had the trade already been announced?

so we got Benitez for...?

so we got Benitez for...?

 

Depth. :thumbup

At this point, I think I would feel more comfortable w/ Messenger. Hope it works out.

Now I absolutly love this trade. We get Benitez, and Gregg keeps the spot he's earned. I can see Benitez eventually closing as Urbina did, but he has to earn it, which is the way it should work.

Now I absolutly love this trade. We get Benitez, and Gregg keeps the spot he's earned. I can see Benitez eventually closing as Urbina did, but he has to earn it, which is the way it should work.

 

Exactly. I likey

At this point, I think I would feel more comfortable w/ Messenger. Hope it works out.

 

I would feel more comfortabled with Messenger as well.......in a Giants uniform!

This is good to hear. If Benitez can prove himself to be better than Gregg...than he can become closer...but he has to earn it first.

Now I absolutly love this trade. We get Benitez, and Gregg keeps the spot he's earned. I can see Benitez eventually closing as Urbina did, but he has to earn it, which is the way it should work.

 

It will be just like 2003 with Urbina and Looper. I would rather have 2 guys that can close down the 8th and 9th rather than one guy who can only do the 9th.

I feel much better now.

 

Gregg is going good and the clubhouse has to feel that if they can get a lead late there is a good chance for a W. Throwing Bene in there would be the same as what happened with Julio and could really hurt morale.

 

That said, I feel a whole lot better about getting Benitez than I ever did about getting Julio. Yea he has proven that he can have a STUPID outing (two balks and a meat ball homer), but for some reason I just feel better about our chances with him.

If superman keeps pitching the way he has the last couple of games.... Benitez has a loooong road ahead of him, maybe even get traded again.

Who's going to cut everyone's hair now?

Benitez may not be 100% (healthy) right now and that could play into the decision-making.

Benitez may not be 100% (healthy) right now and that could play into the decision-making.

 

Could be. Or the Giants could be looking at it differently. They have (had) an expensive arm in the pen that has made no secret that he dosen't want to be there, is on the last year of his contract, and would definetly go elsewhere next off season with them getting basically zilch in return. Sure, they eat the $$$ part of the contract, which they would have had to pay had he stayed there and complained all season, but in return they get a young arm that can not file for FA for a couple more years and they may feel is coachable to become better. Whether Benitez would get a huge contract elsewhere or Mess is so coachable for them to be a much better pitcher is irrelevant. It's a win situation for them and at the very least a lateral trade for us. I personally feel it is an upgraded trade for us by giving us a veteran closer in the pen that can spell Gregg when needed. If it dosen't work out for us it's really no biggie.

thank god for this news. Gregg deserves the spot.

 

I absolutely love this trade.

I think it's nonsense to think that Benitez is NOT going to be the closer. IMO, he will be the closer. Benitez is a closer. I would like to see his first close attempt happen at home, in front of 14 people, in an environment that he's familiar with and comfortable for Benitez. That would give him the optimun chance for success, short and long term.

He'll still see time as closer. He's still got it with the bases empty.

 

This is good to hear. If Benitez can prove himself to be better than Gregg...than he can become closer...but he has to earn it first.

He's converted 9 of 11 save opportunities this year.

He'll still see time as closer. He's still got it with the bases empty.

 

This is good to hear. If Benitez can prove himself to be better than Gregg...than he can become closer...but he has to earn it first.

He's converted 9 of 11 save opportunities this year.

 

And when we traded for Urbina, he was leading the league in saves.

 

If they say Gregg's the guy, I believe it. It's not like there isn't recent precedent set for acquiring a proven closer when we really don't need a closer.

He'll still see time as closer. He's still got it with the bases empty.

 

This is good to hear. If Benitez can prove himself to be better than Gregg...than he can become closer...but he has to earn it first.

He's converted 9 of 11 save opportunities this year.

 

And when we traded for Urbina, he was leading the league in saves.

 

If they say Gregg's the guy, I believe it. It's not like there isn't recent precedent set for acquiring a proven closer when we really don't need a closer.

You're entitled to your opinion. As for me, I still say it'll be a 60-40 Gregg/Benitez split.

IMO, Gregg and Owens would have to blow a couple of games before Benitez is considered for closer