Update: Tigers, Joaquin Benoit reach 3-year deal

we need the bullpen help and the guy is quite good.

I really like this signing. I’m glad the Tigers aren’t sitting back and relying on Zumaya as a set-up guy. The fact that they won’t be giving up a pick makes me feel even better about it.

I like this idea, very much.

yeah, sure i like this move. for the right price.

and, is there a different vote! button. it seemed different…

Must have been the guy they really wanted. I assumed DD would wait to bring in a reliever. There are so many quality arms available this year and so few teams looking for closers I thought they would wait for the market to thin out a bit before making a move. Not waiting as late as Valverde last year, but letting the market develop before we jumped it. I am not crazy that the first late inning guy coming off the board is not a closer, but what are you gonna do
I like Benoit and I think he will be successful, good talent move, we will have to wait a month or so to see how financially sound it was.

When I saw he was a FA, I was hoping we’d at least be associated with him. I know he will not have the same numbers as last year, but he’s still very solid. I like the pick up and can’t wait to see him go out on the field.

Not exactly the splash we’ve all been hoping for, but I like it. I’ve always put him in the category of the “over-the-hill, starter-turned-reliever” type, but if he doesn’t fall off from where he was last year, it’ll prove to be a good move. I’d rather allocate the cash to sign a DH or a starting pitcher first, then worry about the ’pen, however.

I’m just happy to be involved in the hot stove.

First impression: I don’t like the move. It seems like an awful lot of money for a setup man when we have probably 4 relievers capable of that role in 2011 (Zumaya, Perry, Schlereth, and Weinhardt). I’d understand it a lot more if he were left handed, because I’m not sure I want to trust a left handed tri-feces of Schlereth, Thomas, and Ni. This does however lead me to believe that perry or zoom might be packaged and turned around for something else, because it is starting to get awful crowded at the back end of that bullpen. For my money I’d like to see perry moved, because I think he has a great perceived upside that I personally haven’t seen anything to show me that he’s going to live up to. As mentioned before, Zoom may not have a ton of trade value with his injury history, but his potential is valuable for us to hang onto in case he can manage to stay healthy for a whole season. We’ll see, but I generally think of most bullpen positions as easily replaceable, lightning in a bottle gambles. I didn’t like the valverde deal either and he proved me wrong last year, so hopefully Benoit does the same. 5-6 mil a year is a lot to commit to a guy who isn’t even your closer. Your turn to prove ne wrong Joakim…

You get three players(Inge, jhonny, and joaquin) for a little over what you were paying Maggs.

I don’t think it’s too much money-wise, but maybe one extra year that I’m a little iffy on.

For bullpen help. Perfect set up arm to slot in front of Valverde. I’m really liking this move. Now go get those bats!

Beyond that, it is too early to tell whether $6 million/year is appropriate for a reliever in his mid 30s with a history of arm trouble.

The money may be alot for a setup man, but it is what it is. I don’t think this signing will prevent DD or Mr. Ilitch from opening up the vault for the impact bat that the 2011 Tigers still need.

I like that they’re not giving up a draft pick. I hope that that trend can continue (unless its necessary for one of those impact bats that they need).

because in a week, we’d know which type-A relievers are offered arbitration. Perhaps that information is already known, but it’s just not public yet.

Pitching wise, one has to like it. Contractually, though, I’m a little hesitant. Learning he and Crawford are inseparable BFFs would diminish said hesitance.

Good arm, great year last year…I know we might be in for a bit of regression, but getting those quality, reliable innings at the end of the game is huge. Like others have said, our bullpen is shaping up to be pretty good now…that’s what signing late inning arms does – it pushes everyone back an inning and makes the team that much stronger.

I still think you’ll see a lefty signed for the ‘pen if the team is really serious about Coke starting (they can’t possibly go into 2011 with just Schlereth, right?). Throw someone like Fuentes in there for another 5 or 6M and our bullpen looks downright impressive…especially if Coke doesn’t start and/or Zumaya gives us something.

I don’t like the 3 years for him. 1 or 2, I’m okay with but sinking $16 mil and 3 years into someone with multiple shoulder problems is not something I’m keen to do.

The dear baby Jesus knows someone will get injured in our bullpen next year and it never hurts to have too many arms. As for the money? There’s no salary cap and it’s not coming out of my wallet. Pay him whatever.

Solid arm out of the pen is what we need. So who is next Crawford or Dunn?

If I’m not mistaken, he was credited with a save in the game where the Rangers beat the Orioles 30-3.

I don’t like signing relief help for more than two years. All things considered though this is a good signing. The amount of cash and years is a bit high but we need help bad. His pressence will allow youngsters Perry, Schlereth and Weinhardt to not pitch as much in stressful innings. It will give them a chance to “get their feet wet”. Having Benoit and Valverde will definately shorten the game.
And oh boy IF Zumaya gives us anything we should have a strong pen.
We need another lefty for the pen next!