dolfinfan305 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Marlins after free-agent closer Benitez Staff & wire reports Posted December 11 2003 An industry source characterized the Marlins' pursuit of right-hander Armando Benitez as "hot and heavy." The Marlins are hoping to land the free-agent closer, believing he would thrive in South Florida's less frenzied media environment. Benitez spent all but a fraction of the past five seasons with the New York Mets and briefly the Yankees. After acquiring him on July 16 and watching him make nine appearances, the Yankees shipped Benitez to the Mariners. He finished the season in Seattle with a hold, a blown save and a 3.14 ERA in 15 games (14 1/3 innings). Benitez, 31, was all but burned in effigy every time he trotted out to the Shea Stadium mound last season. He totaled a career-worst seven blown saves in 28 opportunities. But Benitez still boasts a 3.03 lifetime ERA and career average of 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabdul Doobakus Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Let me just add "Yikes". Hopefully there's something to that can't handle the NY media thing, but what happens if he's needed in a big situation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer_fran Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 NO!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreshFish Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 hmm, I hope they have a plan with a therapist or something to go with Benitez. Benitez = Choke Master III Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Yeah, that 11 K/9 IP and 3.03 ERA really makes me nervous. Who do you guys want to close? Let me guess: Vlad! :banghead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuickGold Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 As a New Yorker, let me tell you this guy is baaaaad news. Waste of money and nothing but trade bait. His tolerance of pressure is limited to something between a family reunion and a tee-ball game. Thanks, but no thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mave Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Eh, I'm not too sure if I'd want Benitez wearing teal. But, is there really anyone else better out there now that Worell's gone? I just hope Looper is signed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSwift25 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 For a million or less, he works for us. Hopefully we keep Looper around because two shaky closers are always better than one. I don't see any negatives coming out of the signing, I mean once he got to Seattle last year he pitched well, and he strikes out a hell of a lot of people... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 If we sign him for a million or less great. I hope Beinfest knows what he is doing, especially with better relievers on the market like Tavarez. He=Chokemaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapHands69 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Benitez=No Vlad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 If we are "hot and heavy" for Benitez what does that say about our chances of signing Vlad? I'd guess not good, depending on how much Loria plans on extending payroll. That said Benitez has been quite dominant throughout his career barring some major meltdowns. For those who have open minds check out his ERA+ from baseballreference.com http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/benitar01.shtml Maybe Ravenlord or DownRodeo can appreciate those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer_fran Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 The guy is a headcase, and disappears at the very sign of pressure. we don't need a guy like that on the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnylons Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 As a New Yorker, let me tell you this guy is baaaaad news. Waste of money and nothing but trade bait. His tolerance of pressure is limited to something between a family reunion and a tee-ball game. Thanks, but no thanks. Best quote yet. :lol Great one. I am not for getting Benitez, but in the event we sign him, of course I hope he turns it around. He might though - it is amazing what a change of scenery can do, and the right mix of guys can help him feel like a teammate. There seems to have been too much poison in that Muts clubhouse, and perhaps, that is what he is responding to. He has good stats - but when it matters...refer to QuickGold's post... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 well if we sign Armando for a reasonable amount, I dont see why not. there aint that much pressure here and MAYBE he can turn it around under pressure in the 9th inning he has pretty good numbers, so why the hell not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SorianoFanHFW Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 :lol :lol :lol :lol :w00t :w00t :w00t :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :mischief2 Why does benitez suck, but have good statistics? He must blow it every time it counts. For your guys sake, I hope you don't get him unless he's about 2.5 million to 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 :lol :lol :lol :lol :w00t :w00t :w00t :thumbdown :thumbdown :thumbdown :mischief2 Why does benitez suck, but have good statistics? He must blow it every time it counts. For your guys sake, I hope you don't get him unless he's about 2.5 million to 3. That much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMoney82 Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 If we sign Benitez and Looper, in the event of Vlad becoming an O, our pen may not be too bad. 3 potential closers with Fox, Looper, and Benitez, all with pretty nasty stuff. If we can get a lefty-stopper, I'd be pretty pleased. The way I see it, it's either: A: Vlad, weak Pen, Castro/Redmond B: Javy Lopez, Benitez? C: Benitez, Looper, other Pen Help Option A gives us the most talented player in baseball, so that is obviously the most desirable. Our pen will be pretty bad, but we've won plenty of games with comparatively weak pens (first half of '03). Option B gives us an excellent C/1B platoon, which should maximize the hitting potential of Choi, Javy, and Castro. Option C gives us a chance to watch Castro develop, with very good pen and starting rotation. Unless the FO really drops the ball, I think we will have a better team on paper one way or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Let me say this once and I'll shutup. Chad Fox doesn't have the stuff to be a closer, that is why he is a very good setup man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Im sure Benitez will come cheap. Oh yeah did you guys forget we won the World Series with 2 closers who werent too good in pressure situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 If Benetiz can return to the way he pitched for Baltimore, he would make an excellent signing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SorianoFanHFW Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 If Benetiz can return to the way he pitched for Baltimore, he would make an excellent signing. With the mets he completes saves at a better percentage than Rivera with the yankees. he's good, yet he's not. Chris Hammond will be on the market, and the Yanks are stupid so they will probably pay a little down for you. He can be a very good pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Chris Hammond's 2002 campaign was an aberration. Either the Braves used him extremely well or it was just one of those fluke things. Chris Hammond historically has been nothing more than a mediocore pitcher. He would probably be only a slight upgrade over Almanza. Havent we been down this road a couple of times with him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Hmmmm I wouldnt mind Hammonds if the Yanks would pay some of his contract or release him out right which I have head. The former Marlin could be used as the lefty specialist we need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Either the Braves used him extremely well or it was just one of those fluke things. Chris Hammond historically has been nothing more than a mediocore pitcher. I think Hammonds just learned how to pitch more efficiently with Leo Mazzone in 2002. Maybe he just couldnt pitch in New York, It wouldnt be the first time a pitcher struggled in New York after coming off a good year with another team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I wouldn't mind seeing Hammond in black and teal for a 3rd go-round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.