The never-ending search for inexpensive relief help has brought the Marlins back to.......Armando Benitez.
Yes, the 37-year-old reliever and two-time former member of the Marlins is still chucking it. The Marlins have signed Benitez to a minor-league contract and will start him out at Triple A New Orleans. Benitez passed his physical and could be in uniform for the Zephyrs as early as tonight.
A veteran of 15 major-league seasons, Benitez has 289 career saves -- including a league-leading 47 of them with the Marlins in 2004. Benitez, who hasn't pitched in the majors since he was with Toronto in 2008, also returned to the Marlins in 2007, a reunion that did not turn out particularly well, as Benitez went 2-5 with a 5.73 ERA.
The Marlins re-discovered Benitez in the independent Atlantic League. In 17 games for the Newark Bears, Benitez had an ERA of 1.00, striking out 27 and walking four in 18 innings. He had six saves.
Question: With Benitez back in the fold, can Jorge Julio be far behind?
World Series here we come! The bullpen is set!
Posted by: E$ | June 24, 2010 at 05:12 PM
what, Urbina still in jail?
Posted by: Patrick | June 24, 2010 at 10:59 PM