Report: Phils, Benson Agree To Deal
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, February 13, 2008 03:38 PM | Comments: 9
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UPDATE (11:54 p.m.): According to Daily News writer David Murphy, Benson’s deal includes an “out clause,” which means if he’s not on the 25-man roster at a certain point, he can be released of the deal.
That’s a tad disheartening, but it’s also security for both Benson and the Phils. I’m hoping Benson is ready to go by May, and will be on the Big League roster by then; the way things sound, he may not be ready until June or so.
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UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Benson is said to be throwing at 60-70 percent, meaning a May/June start in the rotation is more likely than Opening Day.
It never hurts to add depth to your pitching corps, and the Phillies did that today. Benson probably isn’t a No. 3 starter, but he could prove valuable in a back-end role, especially during the stretch run. At the very least, he’ll have Adam Eaton, Chad Durbin and Co. trying really hard to maintain spots in the rotation and bullpen.
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UPDATE (3:38 p.m.): Kris Benson and the Phillies have agreed to a one-year Minor League deal, per Todd Zolecki.
While I wish a second-year option was in the cards (for insurance), this is a great deal.
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Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow, and it looks one more pitcher will be joining the wagon.
Kris Benson is reportedly close to signing a deal with the Phillies. As of yesterday, a deal was said to be anywhere from 24-48 hours away. So, look for Benson to be inked either today or tomorrow.
Benson, 33, is a lifetime 68-73 pitcher with a 4.34 ERA and 1.378 career WHIP. He was sidelined with an injury in 2007, but in 2006, went 11-12 with a 4.82 ERA for Baltimore. He’s a former No. 1 draft pick of the Pirates.
More updates as they come.
Posts: 0 chris m
good move…competition is always a good thing. maybe eaton will shine now and be a pitcher with an era in the 5′s( that would make the eaton signing worth it, right?)we should of added an option. im sure that would of paid off for next year when were looking for MORE pitching. is it alright if i add that gillick stinks.(eaton 8 mil a year)(trade 2 top prospects for garcia)(this howard thing) well maybe its not him but our scouts who cant find any free agent talant. thanks for the rant
Posted: 04:47 PM on February 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
Awesome deal. huge steal. I think he’s going to be great this year
Posted: 06:36 PM on February 13, 2008
Posts: 0 GregLuzinskiIsCrying
Great news sports fans,
Anna Benson is now coming to a team christmas party near you. Also, for those of you still rooting for the phils and gnashing your teeth about the mets, know these 2 points:
The only teams the mets concern themselves with are (in order) : The Yankees and The Braves.
Sorry kids but philly is just the little town trying to be a big city.
If only your ownership would spend like a big city, you’d have more than a good core and replacement players.
Posted: 06:49 PM on February 13, 2008
Posts: 0 ActuallyChilled
Maybe insults are in bad spirit, but I’ll give it a shot.
GLCrying- Dude, who are you? That Braves comment plunged your credibility way down. Your sportswriting wit now seems mediocre and way too surface. Get the hell out.
As for Benson… its depth, and so I’m down… the team is pretty stacked overall.
Posted: 08:12 PM on February 13, 2008
Posts: 0 rob
For a minor league deal, the Phils have nothing to lose. Good move.
That said, Philly might be tough for him.
When you’re a Phillie pitcher and you look at the quality of the infield behind you, you want the ball on the ground.
When you’re a Phillie pitcher and you look at the park you pitch your home games in, you want the ball on the ground.
Kris Benson doesn’t get the ball on the ground. He’s a flyball pitcher extraordinaire. It might prove interesting.
Still, a good move at the price.
Posted: 11:09 PM on February 13, 2008
Posts: 0 Sean P.
I’m glad the Mets aren’t concerned about the Phillies. I think they tried that plan last year and it didnt work out to well for them, I hope they do it again.
Posted: 12:39 PM on February 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Bob
Dear Mr. GregLuzinski, I want to thank you for your comment that the only teams the mets are concerned with are the Yankees and the Braves. First of all, Mr. intelligence, you probably do not know it yet, but the Yankees do happen to be a team that plays in the American League.
To further educate you, the Mets do play in the National League.
Now for the subject of your memory lose……How many straight games did the Phillies win against the beloved Mets,,,i forget, may you could remind me of the number…you really are scared to death about the Phillies, aren’t you ????
Posted: 06:31 PM on February 14, 2008
Posts: 0 GregLuzinskiIsCrying
Dear Bob,
Thanks for the kind words! Great news sports fans!!!
I did not forget that the Yankees play in the American League and that the Mets play in the national League.
To show you how good my memory is, i remember eating Dallas Green’s corn when he planted it in the bullpen of the old ball park.
The point was and is, the mets dont, havent, wont worry about the phillies because they are concerned with teams they have rivalries with.
That doesnt include the phils.Sorry guys, its just too small town for us.
It doesnt matter which league the yankees play in, they will always be rivals.
The braves, are well, the braves. You figure it out from there.
Once again my other point is this:
If your ownership cared more about you the fans than the bottom line, you wouldnt have signed kris benson to a minor league contract.
You would have gone out after the best pitcher(s) in baseball to make sure the team won, not just came close (see NLDS vs. Rockies).
You can say Im wrong, the phillies are better than the mets, they are better than the braves, they are the best team in the entire league, it wont change the simple math:
Your ownership treats you guys like you live in Milwaukee or Cleveland, not NY, or LA, or CHI.
Big town/small city. say hi to Joe Carter for me huh?
Oh, i almost forgot it was 8 straight they lost to the phils. Doesnt change a thing.
Posted: 09:22 PM on February 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Jay
Greg does not speak for Mets fans. First off, most of us don’t give a shit about the Yankees. Next, we’d much rather have a rival in Philly than some rednecks in Atlanta. I can’t wait to kickstart this Mets-Phils rivalry. It’s about time we had some venom in this divison.
Oh yeah, and Philly sucks. Have fun with Mr. Anna Benson.
Posted: 01:08 PM on February 15, 2008