Armando Benitez On His Way To The Bronx ?...

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

From espn.com:

 

The Yankees and Mets are closing in on a deal that would send All-Star closer Armando Benitez across town to serve in a set-up role for Mariano Rivera.

 

Sources have told ESPN's Peter Gammons that the Yankees have agreed to absorb the remaining money on Benitez's contract for the rest of this season, or about $3 million, and the two sides are negotiating which prospects the Yankees would send to the Mets. In rare cases, a team trading a hefty contract would be willing to pick up a portion of the salary, but the Mets were reluctant to do so with Benitez's.

 

Sources say a prospect the Mets may receive from the Yankees is right-hander Jason Anderson, who has spent parts of this season with the big-league team. In 22 appearances -- all in relief -- for the Yankees, the 24-year-old Anderson is 1-0 with a 4.79 ERA. The Mets could also receive pitcher Anderson Garcia, who plays in the Class A Midwest League for Battle Creek.

 

Benitez, meanwhile, is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA, but has seven blown saves in 28 opportunities.

 

"It's not done, but it's very serious and very close," said one official. "It's not done, but it might get done [Wednesday], it might get done Friday; you don't always know how things like this go."

 

Because the Yankees will pay Benitez's salary, Grade B-type prospects would go to the Mets, rather than someone like left-hander Brandon Claussen, considered the Yankees' best young pitcher.

 

The Yankees know first-hand of Benitez's fragile psyche. He set off a nasty brawl between the Orioles and Yankees in 1998 when he drilled Tino Martinez in the middle of the back following a home run by Bernie Williams.

 

Two years later, after Benitez was traded to the Mets and became their closer, the Mets led the Yankees in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the World Series. But Benitez walked Paul O'Neill, allowed a single to pinch-hitter Luis Polonia, then another hit before Chuck Knoblauch drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly.

 

Just a few weeks ago, Benitez completely collapsed while trying to close out the Yankees, walking home the tying run; the Yankees eventually won the game in extra innings.

 

With the market for relievers so thin, and the Yankees having a glaring need for a right-handed reliever, acquiring Benitez makes sense. The Yankees had substantive talks with Texas for Ugueth Urbina, but the Rangers made a deal with the Florida Marlins last week in which Texas acquired three prospects.

 

The Yankees hold a two-game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East but are concerned about their bullpen heading into the second half. While Rivera has been outstanding, converting 16 of 17 save chances, the rest of the bullpen has been shaky in the absence of right-hander Steve Karsay, who is injured and hasn't pitched at all this season.

 

Juan Acevedo was released after struggling, and Antonio Osuna was out from June 14 until last weekend because of a strained groin. Chris Hammond, who replaced Mike Stanton during the offseason as the top left-hander in the bullpen, has been inconsistent.

 

The Mets, last in the NL East at 40-53, have gone into a rebuilding mode following the firing of general manager Steve Phillips on June 12. Second baseman Roberto Alomar was dealt to the Chicago White Sox on July 1 and outfielder Jeromy Burnitz was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The Mets received prospects in both deals.

 

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was in Tampa, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday for organizational meetings and could not be reached by The Associated Press. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz declined comment to the AP.

 

 

 

Why? Is George off his rocker?

 

Jeff Weaver Part 2...

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Perhaps they want to give Rivera more of a challenge? Instead of coming in the ninth to a 5-3 lead, he now comes into a tied game with runners on the corners with nobody out...

[Guest JangoFett4Hire]

I really like this trade...

[Guest DerangedHermit]

I'm undecided on this deal. Although, it would be fun to see hilarity ensue when Benitez chokes. The Boss will make sure Cashman will regret the day he traded for ARMANDO BENITEZ!

[Guest JangoFett4Hire]

Will they hurry up and makes this trade already? I think this will be a great trade that will shape the race for the AL East... Hurry up Cash, make the trade!

[Guest DerangedHermit]

Yeah, get this deal done! It narrows the race down to the Bosox and the Blue Jays.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Just keep telling yourself that.

 

The only reason this might happen, is so Boston doesn't get Benitez.

[Guest Lightning Flik]

Yeah, get this deal done! It narrows the race down to the Bosox and the Blue Jays.

I still see the Jays winning the AL East.

[Guest JangoFett4Hire]

Boston's going after Jeff Suppan

[Guest JangoFett4Hire]

And- I think the Jays are dismantling...

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Twins acquired outfielder Shannon Stewart from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for outfielder Bobby Kielty.

 

Stewart was hitting .294 with 47 runs, seven homers and 35 RBIs as Toronto's leadoff hitter and left fielder. He missed almost a month earlier this season with a strained hamstring.

 

The Twins, who also receive a player to be named later in the trade, have lost 22 of their last 28 games. Minnesota also tried to trade for Stewart in 2001.

 

Stewart, who stole 51 bases for the Blue Jays in 1998, had his best season in 2000, when he batted .319 with 21 homers, 107 runs, 20 steals and 69 RBIs.

 

Kielty, a switch-hitting outfielder, had been sharing time with Dustan Mohr and others in right field since the start of the 2002 season. He is hitting .252 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 238 at-bats.

 

Stewart will likely bat leadoff and play right field for the Twins, allowing left fielder Jacque Jones to move into a run-producing spot in the lineup.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Actually, Klelty might turn out better than Stewart in this deal.

 

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Good trade by the Twins. Kielty is inconsistent and was never going to be a fulltime starter. Stewart gives the Twins a leadoff hitter.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

and Stewart's deal is up after this year too.

 

what's the outfield going to look like now? I thought Jacque and Shannon were left fielders

[Guest JangoFett4Hire]

this pretty much means Toronto's waving the white flag, right?

[Guest Anglesault]

From espn.com:

 

The Yankees and Mets are closing in on a deal that would send All-Star closer Armando Benitez across town to serve in a set-up role for Mariano Rivera.

 

Sources have told ESPN's Peter Gammons that the Yankees have agreed to absorb the remaining money on Benitez's contract for the rest of this season, or about $3 million, and the two sides are negotiating which prospects the Yankees would send to the Mets. In rare cases, a team trading a hefty contract would be willing to pick up a portion of the salary, but the Mets were reluctant to do so with Benitez's.

 

Sources say a prospect the Mets may receive from the Yankees is right-hander Jason Anderson, who has spent parts of this season with the big-league team. In 22 appearances -- all in relief -- for the Yankees, the 24-year-old Anderson is 1-0 with a 4.79 ERA. The Mets could also receive pitcher Anderson Garcia, who plays in the Class A Midwest League for Battle Creek.

 

Benitez, meanwhile, is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA, but has seven blown saves in 28 opportunities.

 

"It's not done, but it's very serious and very close," said one official. "It's not done, but it might get done [Wednesday], it might get done Friday; you don't always know how things like this go."

 

Because the Yankees will pay Benitez's salary, Grade B-type prospects would go to the Mets, rather than someone like left-hander Brandon Claussen, considered the Yankees' best young pitcher.

 

The Yankees know first-hand of Benitez's fragile psyche. He set off a nasty brawl between the Orioles and Yankees in 1998 when he drilled Tino Martinez in the middle of the back following a home run by Bernie Williams.

 

Two years later, after Benitez was traded to the Mets and became their closer, the Mets led the Yankees in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the World Series. But Benitez walked Paul O'Neill, allowed a single to pinch-hitter Luis Polonia, then another hit before Chuck Knoblauch drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly.

 

Just a few weeks ago, Benitez completely collapsed while trying to close out the Yankees, walking home the tying run; the Yankees eventually won the game in extra innings.

 

With the market for relievers so thin, and the Yankees having a glaring need for a right-handed reliever, acquiring Benitez makes sense. The Yankees had substantive talks with Texas for Ugueth Urbina, but the Rangers made a deal with the Florida Marlins last week in which Texas acquired three prospects.

 

The Yankees hold a two-game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East but are concerned about their bullpen heading into the second half. While Rivera has been outstanding, converting 16 of 17 save chances, the rest of the bullpen has been shaky in the absence of right-hander Steve Karsay, who is injured and hasn't pitched at all this season.

 

Juan Acevedo was released after struggling, and Antonio Osuna was out from June 14 until last weekend because of a strained groin. Chris Hammond, who replaced Mike Stanton during the offseason as the top left-hander in the bullpen, has been inconsistent.

 

The Mets, last in the NL East at 40-53, have gone into a rebuilding mode following the firing of general manager Steve Phillips on June 12. Second baseman Roberto Alomar was dealt to the Chicago White Sox on July 1 and outfielder Jeromy Burnitz was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The Mets received prospects in both deals.

 

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was in Tampa, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday for organizational meetings and could not be reached by The Associated Press. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz declined comment to the AP.

 

 

 

Why? Is George off his rocker?

 

Jeff Weaver Part 2...

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

 

The Yankee players don't even like him

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

this pretty much means Toronto's waving the white flag, right?

because they traded one guy? Ooooook

[Guest JangoFett4Hire]

Well he's their starting left fielder, and their leadoff hitter... ooooooooooooooook?

[Guest treble charged]

Nah, Stewart was expendable with the emergence of Reed Johnson, who was awesome when Stewart was out with a sore hamstring.

 

I wish they could have gotten some pitching, though.

[Guest cartman]

Just keep telling yourself that.

 

The only reason this might happen, is so Boston doesn't get Benitez.

Boston never wanted Benitez, They got who they wanted already and that was Kim.

 

If anything they will re-aquire Suppan because he is still young, cheap, and can be locked up long term in Boston if he succeeds. Benitez is, and may always be, a choker in BIG situations. Maybe with the Yanks he can be better, and he probably will be just because. I am STILL glad Boston didn't go after him.

[Guest DrTom]

I don't see why everyone thinks this is a bad deal for the Yankees. Benitez, until this year, has been a reliable closer. He'd be the late-inning setup man for Rivera, almost exactly like the role Rivera played when the Yanks had Wetteland as their closer. Rivera's 16-17 in saves this year, so there's no way Benitez is any threat to his job. As an 8th-inning man, I think he could do very well.

[Guest Anglesault]

07/16/2003  8:14 PM ET

Yankees obtain Benitez from Mets

By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com 

 

 

 

NEW YORK -- During Monday's All-Star media day in Chicago, Armando Benitez talked about what it would be like for him to change New York uniforms should he get traded from the Mets to the Yankees.

"At least I'd be able to stay in New York," Benitez said. "I wouldn't have to move out of my house."

 

Wednesday, the move -- or non-move -- became a reality, as the Yankees acquired the All-Star reliever from the Mets in exchange for right-hander Jason Anderson and a pair of minor-league pitchers. Conference calls are scheduled for later this evening.

 

Benitez will be used as a right-handed setup man with the Yankees, joining Antonio Osuna and southpaw Chris Hammond as the team's bridge between the starting pitchers and closer Mariano Rivera.

 

"No matter where I go, I'll do the job they want me to do," Benitez said on Monday. "It won't be a problem for me. Every team knows what I can do, to be a closer, so I won't be upset if I'm a setup man on some team. I'll just do my job."

 

Benitez, who did not pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game, has pitched in a setup role before, doing so for the first four years of his big-league career in Baltimore. When he joined the Mets in 1999, he was John Franco's setup man until he assumed the closer's job during the season.

 

"I've been setup man for a lot of good closers -- Randy Myers, Lee Smith, John Franco, Doug Jones," Benitez said. "I won't be upset as long as we win. If I can help the team, that's all I want. Rivera and me would be a good combo, we'd give the team a chance to win."

 

Benitez is 3-3 with 21 saves and a 3.10 ERA this season in 45 games for the Mets. But the big right-hander has also blown seven saves, tying him for the most in the Majors this season. One of those blown saves came against the Yankees on June 22, when he walked four batters in the ninth inning, tying the game. The Yankees went on to win, 7-3, in front of a national television audience.

 

"With the addition of Armando, we addressed the need for a proven power arm at the back end of the bullpen," said general manager Brian Cashman. "We are excited to add Armando because we believe he will help solidify the bridge between our starters and Mariano Rivera."

 

Entering the season, Benitez had converted 117 of his 129 save opportuni ties over the past three seasons, a 90.7 percent success rate -- the best in baseball. His 160 saves for the Mets are second on the club's all-time list, and he became the first Met to notch 30 saves in three consecutive seasons.

 

But Benitez blew some big saves for the Mets, most notably Game 1 of the 2000 World Series against the Yankees. The Mets went on to lose the Subway Series in five games, with Benitez's blown save serving as the turning point. Benitez believes that Mets fans will realize what he contributed to the team once he's gone.

 

"Maybe someday they'll recognize what I did there," he said on Monday.

 

The Yankees have struggled to find consistency in the bullpen this season, using 11 different relief pitchers. Steve Karsay's season-ending shoulder surgery left a gaping hole in the bullpen, and Osuna's two stints on the disabled list had the Yankees scrambling to find a right-handed setup man.

 

On June 25, the Yankees traded for Cleveland right-hander Dan Miceli, hoping he would fill the setup role until Osuna returned. But Miceli has a 5.40 ERA in six appearances with the Yankees, throwing just 3 1/3 innings.

 

Anderson, 24, has appeared in 22 games for the Yankees, going 1-0 with a 4.79 ERA. Anderson was penciled in as the closer for Triple-A Columbus this season before making the Yankees out of Spring Training.

 

In addition to Anderson, the Yankees sent right-handers Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa to the Mets. Bicondoa, a cousin of late Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile, was 3-2 with a 3.54 ERA in 15 games (five starts) for the Tampa Yankees of the Single-A Florida State League. Garcia is 3-6 with a 3.32 ERA in 16 games for Battle Creek of the Single-A Midwest League.

 

The deal is the 12th between the two clubs and the first since the Mets swapped Robin Ventura for David Justice on Dec. 7, 2001.

Fuck, Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck.

 

I hope he walks into the Yankee clubhouse and someone takes his head off.

 

That would be the only good to come out of this.

[Guest alkeiper]

Benitez is a good pickup for the Yankees. His ERA this year is 3.10. He hasn't posted an ERA above 4 since his rookie season. He strikes out over a batter an inning.

 

Kielty's got a .370 OBP, so its easy to see why the Blue Jays picked him up. A lot of people will criticize the Jays, but Stewart's in his last year, and the Jays don't use the stolen base anyway. The move won't hurt the Jays. Bad move for the Twins, IMO. They have PLENTY of corner outfielders. They need infielders.

[Guest undisputedjericho]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee're fucked...

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Benitez is a good pickup for the Yankees.  His ERA this year is 3.10.  He hasn't posted an ERA above 4 since his rookie season.  He strikes out over a batter an inning.

 

Kielty's got a .370 OBP, so its easy to see why the Blue Jays picked him up.  A lot of people will criticize the Jays, but Stewart's in his last year, and the Jays don't use the stolen base anyway.  The move won't hurt the Jays.  Bad move for the Twins, IMO.  They have PLENTY of corner outfielders.  They need infielders.

 

 

 

The Twins needed to make a move. Maybe wake up the rest of the team.

[Guest Anglesault]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee're fucked...

I'm telling you, he needs to walk in, say the wrong thing to someone that was on the team in 1998, and get his jaw broken.

 

He can't play and all is well.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I'm marking this on my calendar. The Yankees are finished. One pitcher who is no longer the closer, has ruined the Yankees season.

[Guest alkeiper]

Ok ok, how the hell is Benitez so bad? Am I missing something?

[Guest DerangedHermit]

7 blown saves this year and a history of either blowing games or making games closer than they need to be later. Mariano Rivera should be happy, Benitez is going to make a lot of non-save situations save situations.

[Guest alkeiper]

4 of those blown saves were in April, when Benitez had a bad month. Benitez gave up more than two runs only once. The problem is, Benitez had a bad run and got plastered all over Sportscenter. He's still a damned good pitcher.

[Guest DrTom]

I don't see the Benitez hate, either. Then again, I try not to let media hype make my decisions for me. Yes, he's blown 25% of his save chances, but he'll be pitching as a setup man for the Yankees. And if he posts an ERA around 3.00 with over a K per inning in the Bronx, I don't think anyone will have a problem with his performance. He can easily be the Rivera to Rivera's John Wetteland.