Benitez traded to the Mariners for Jeff Nelson

[blankman]

hopefully benitez performs better outside of the new york atmosphere. he's still a pretty young arm and if he can get it together and become the pitcher he used to be he could really help. (ok, so maybe i'm a little optimistic)

You can always hope...I guess. Sadly, maybe there is none with Benitez. Sorry guys, good luck with him- you'll need it.

[Dr.DooM]

I'll be surprised if Seattle holds onto Benitez. I think they really just wanted to get rid of Nelson fast and get some tradable commodity in return. With Shige and Kaz, there's just no need for Benitez. Rhodes can fill in for Nelson. I bet you Benitez will be traded away again.

[Transmogrifier]

So the Ms don't make a trade AGAIN, and Nelson bashes them. Too bad, the Ms don't need passionate players that want to improve their team.

So what does management do? Ship him off for a head case.

I can't believe this... what a bad deal.

[HOOTIE]

Ok, i'm the only Benitez lover. Seattle made a great move. Benitez is a upgrade because he can close. Sasaki wont be a factor with his decreased velocity, plus Benitez gets lefties out far better then Nelson, helping out Rhodes. Benitez hasnt been as bad in post as most think. A 3.56 era not great, but certaintly not batting practice. Seattle did it for the wrong reasons, (Nelsons comments), but Benitez out of the media market could flourish. Nelson did a nice job while here, but his track record, and stuff, just arent as good as Benitez.

[Guest]

I don't believe Nelson was traded for the comments he made. The M's were quietly dealing him before those comments.

I see it as a way to sell Nelson why his stock is still high. He is obviously on a downward slope and is having problems with his command. Getting Benitez was not ideal, but it will help alleviate Rhodes as being the only option against lefties. With the emergence Ruben Mateo and R. Soriano, dealing Nelson was not that difficult. Plus Benitez might be insurance for the spotty performance Sasaki has made in Single A.

Overall I think it was a smart move by Gillick since we filled a void, got some cash, and probably weren't going to resign Nelson anyway.