Florida Marlins/San Francisco Giants Closer Situations

June 4, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Richard Garcia
Edited by Ryan Dodson

The Florida Marlins acquired reliever Armando Benitez from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for reliever Randy Messenger. The Giants will pay all but $333,333 of Benitez's $7.6 million salary as well.

Marlins' Outlook

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez seems to have finally made a decision about who his closer will be. Gonzalez, who has used the closer role as a revolving door all season, will stick with Kevin Gregg, for now. Armando Benitez, who was acquired May 31, will serve as the setup man.  

Benitez fell out of favor with Giants' management, fans and players throughout his three-year tenure. The last straw was a blown save against the New York Mets where Benitez balked twice, allowing the tying run and then serving up a walk-off home run to first baseman Carlos Delgado.

The 34-year-old Benitez returns to Florida, where he set a team record with a career-high 47 saves in 2004 - his only season with the Marlins. Benitez is 0-3 with nine saves and a 4.19 ERA this season.

Gregg is succeeding while being used as the closer for the first time in his career. He is 7-for-7 in save opportunities with a 1.93 ERA.

Fantasy Perspective

Gregg has 35 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings, a 1.93 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP on the season. Gregg is the man for now, but we don't expect that to last.

Gonzalez had this to say about this current situation: "Hopefully we'll get into a situation where we have four (saves) in a row and Kevin gets a couple and (Benitez) gets a couple."

This obviously weighs on the value of both players. Keep Gregg, and try to acquire Benitez while his value seems to be cheap. Benitez is a great handcuff right now, and it's unlikely Gregg can continue this role.

Giants' Outlook

The trading of Benitez to the Marlins has opened the door for pitcher Brad Hennessey. Giants' manager Bruce Bochy has made the decision to give Hennessey first crack at being the team's closer. Hennessey is 2-for-3 in save opportunities this season with a 2.82 ERA.

Hennessey was originally called up from the Giants' farm system in 2004 to be a starter. He started seven games in 2004, 21 in '05 and 12 in '06. The reason for his decline in starts the past season, resulting in none this season, was his tendency to get mauled in the first inning.

Hennessey does not have overpowering stuff. He also doesn't have the luxury that starting pitchers have. If he allows a couple runs as a starter in the first inning that is one thing; he could work through it. Allowing a couple runs as the closer, most likely the ninth inning, results in a blown save, and possibly a Giants loss.

Fantasy Perspective

Bochy has emphatically stated that rookie Tim Lincecum will not become a reliever. If Hennessey struggles, Kevin Correia and Vinnie Chulk are the most likely candidates to replace him. Hennessey is a must add in all fantasy leagues. Hennessey will get some saves, but we don't see him being a dominant closer going through the season.

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Richard Garcia
Garcia served as a managing editor for KFFL. Prior to his time with KFFL, Richard worked in managerial roles with both Frito-Lay Inc. and UPS. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and fulfilled his internship requirements with the Los Angeles Kings Hockey organization in 2001.

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