Phillies Trade Joaquin Benoit to the Pittsburgh Pirates
In the Phillies 7-6 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday afternoon, the Phillies did not use relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit, his usual choice for the eighth inning. After the game, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said, "You'll find out soon", when asked why the Phillies did not use Benoit. Shortly thereafter, Benoit was seen getting congratulations from his teammates. Soon thereafter, the Phillies announced a trade.
Benoit is headed to the Pittsburgh Pirates, along with cash to help balance the deal, in exchange for Class A Advanced pitcher Seth McGarry. In 31 games for the Class A Advanced Bradenton Maurauders, McGarry is 1-0 with a 1.34 earned run average in 31 games serving as the club's closer. McGarry has 14 saves in 15 opportunities.
The Pirates, who traded reliever Tony Watson shortly beforehand, are marginally in contention.
The Phillies signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Phillies back in December. After Jeanmar Gomez faltered as the club's closer in April, Benoit briefly held the closer's role. That role was quickly given to Hector Neris, who has mostly held it since, minus a couple days that Pat Neshek held it.
In 44 games for the Phillies, Benoit was 1-4 with a 4.07 earned run average. Benoit earned two saves and was credited for three blown saves, one of them coming in the ninth inning.