Is Armando Benitez Worth All This Attention?

I guess if the Marlins were interested in someone once dubbed as "Armando Jr.", it was inevitable that the Marlins would send scouts (along with the Red Sox and Mariners) to see the real thing pitch in Scottsdale.

Benitez pitched like he has some trade value, allowing two hits but otherwise looking sharp in a scoreless inning. Facing the top of the A's lineup, he snapped off several sharp sliders and his fastball sat at a consistent 93 mph. The Marlins are looking for a closer, and many in the organization believe they have the right environment for Benitez to repeat his All-Star season in 2004, when he had a 1.29 ERA and saved 47 games for Florida.

That All-Star season of 2004 came one season after he was traded from the Mets to the Yankees after years of frustrating Mets fans with his famous implosions in the biggest spots possible. Benitez's response was to go nine for nine in save spots against the Mets in his only season with Florida. Between knee problems, growing size (although he's slimmed down a bit this spring ... possibly to up his own trade value), and his thin skin when it comes to the media, he may not be able to repeat his 2004 season if he does return to the Marlins. But the fact that the New York media doesn't cover the Marlins might foster that "right environment" that they can offer.

But how much of Benitez's $7.6 million salary will the Marlins pick up? Can the Marlins get more value and less headaches if they trade for Jorge Julio instead of Benitez? Will Benitez blow it in a big spot in September? All questions the Marlins must ask themselves. Buyer beware baby, buyer beware.