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gridloreSaved: Giants to get Benitez
Premier closer on free-agent market agrees to three-year deal
The Giants are about to fill their closer's job with the biggest name on the market: Armando Benitez.
The club has reached a tentative agreement with Benitez on a three-year contract worth about $21 million, major-league sources told The Chronicle on Monday night. It could be announced as early as today if the 32-year-old right- hander passes a physical in Florida.
Benitez has 244 saves in 283 chances in a 10-year career with the Orioles, Mets, Yankees, Mariners and Marlins. He was tremendous last season with Florida, with 47 saves in 51 chances, a 1.29 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .216.
Even more impressive was the way Benitez finished, with one blown save opportunity in his final 18 chances after a July 17 loss at Pittsburgh. Last week, he turned down an offer to return to the Marlins for one year at $5 million, plus a 2006 option worth $6 million.
Yes! This was the missing element last year, a great closer. So that's two big acquisitions this off season. Omar Vizquel at shortstop, and now a fireball closer.
We get J.D. Drew, and I'll be in heaven.
136 days until pitchers and catchers report in Scotsdale!
Premier closer on free-agent market agrees to three-year deal
The Giants are about to fill their closer's job with the biggest name on the market: Armando Benitez.
The club has reached a tentative agreement with Benitez on a three-year contract worth about $21 million, major-league sources told The Chronicle on Monday night. It could be announced as early as today if the 32-year-old right- hander passes a physical in Florida.
Benitez has 244 saves in 283 chances in a 10-year career with the Orioles, Mets, Yankees, Mariners and Marlins. He was tremendous last season with Florida, with 47 saves in 51 chances, a 1.29 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .216.
Even more impressive was the way Benitez finished, with one blown save opportunity in his final 18 chances after a July 17 loss at Pittsburgh. Last week, he turned down an offer to return to the Marlins for one year at $5 million, plus a 2006 option worth $6 million.
Yes! This was the missing element last year, a great closer. So that's two big acquisitions this off season. Omar Vizquel at shortstop, and now a fireball closer.
We get J.D. Drew, and I'll be in heaven.
136 days until pitchers and catchers report in Scotsdale!
