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Benoit, 33, was sensational this season for Tampa Bay. He had a 1.34 ERA in 63 games, permitting just 30 hits and 11 walks in 60 1/3 innings, striking out 75

Read more: Tigers sign middle reliever Joaquin Benoit | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101117/S ... z15ZmtBDea

16 million for 3 seasons? Jesus Dave isn't that a bit pricy for middle relief?

With Joel Zumaya 7th inn and Joaquin Benoit 8th inn Valarde 9inn the tigers will shut down the opposing teams in late innings.

He had the lowest ERA (1.34).

• He had the lowest ratio of walks plus hits to innings pitched (WHIP): 0.68. In other words, he allowed two runners every three innings.

• Among all pitchers with at least 60 innings, he had the lowest batting average against (.147), lowest on-base percentage against (.189) and lowest on-base percentage plus slugging percentage against (.454).



Read more: Tigers sign middle reliever Joaquin Benoit | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101117/S ... z15bG8byKu

Seems like an escalated contract to give a 33 year old with injury history....

question is Benoit worth it?Absolutely.

Benoit, 33, locked down eighth innings last year for the American League East champion Rays so Rafael Soriano could close out games. Benoit's numbers were “phenomenal,” as Friedman noted.

He struck out 75 with only 11 walks in 60 1/3 innings, and his walks plus hits per innings pitched average of 0.68 was the best of any pitcher in the league with at least 20 innings. His 25 holds ranked fifth in the league, and he was 1-2 with a 1.34 ERA and one save in 63 appearances.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said a case could be made that Benoit was the most valuable player on his very talented team.

“The stealth MVP, no doubt,” Maddon told the Tampa Tribune.

The Tigers were set with Jose Valverde closing, but how would they get the game to him?

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2 ... t_wor.html

They signed him to closer money...

Not too happy with how much we overpaid. This is typical of DD to hand out big contracts after career years.

In this day and age that what you have to pay to get a good pitcher they don't work for cheap money.