The Padres officially announced yesterday that they have signed RHP Joaquin Benoit to a two-year deal through 2015 with a vesting option for 2016. It is being reported that the option will vest at $8M if he finishes 55 games in 2015. The presumption would be that Benoit would need to be the closer in 2015 for that option to vest.
“Joaquin has proven to be one of the top late-game relievers in baseball,” said Byrnes. “We are excited to add him to our staff.”
“The Padres are a team that’s going up,” said Benoit. “This is a (club) that’s looking to go to the playoffs and that’s what it’s all about. The bullpen has a lot of good arms and for me to join that (group), it was an easy decision.”
Benoit, 36, was extremely effective for the Tigers last season, going 4-1 and converting 24 of 26 save opportunities, while posting a 2.01 ERA. He struck out 73 while walking 22, and opponents hit only .197 against him. Among relievers with at least 250 innings pitched since 2010, He’s been solid over the past four seasons, posting a 2.53 ERA since 2010 which is the fourth-best in baseball for relievers with over 250 innings pitched over that period.
To make room on the 40-man roster the Pads designated RHP Adys Portillo for assignment. With these transactions, the Padres currently have a full 40-man roster.
Although there was a lot of concern expressed initially by Padres fans when Luke Gregerson was traded to Oakland for Seth Smith, it appears that the void in the ‘pen has been effectively filled. Not only can Benoit set up for current closer Huston Street, and adeptly fill in as the closer if needed this season, but he could potentially take over the role in 2015 if the mutual option that Street and the Pads have for 2015 at $7M is not exercised by either side. With the addition of Smith and Benoit Josh Byrnes appears to have added more depth and versatility to both the bench and the bullpen for Budby Black to work with, and there are possibly still more moves to be done before opening day.
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