Jul 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Joaquin Benoit (56) during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Recently at Detroit Jock City, we touched base on the trade rumor involving the Tigers swapping Corey Knebel and Kevin Ziomek in a package to get closer Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies.
ESPN baseball analyst Jim Bowden considers this deal unlikely to happen, as the Tigers are more in the market for a setup man rather than a closer before the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
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Welcome back the Joaquin Benoit, return to Detroit buzz.
The 36-year-old right-hander is enjoying much of the same success with the Padres as he did with the Tigers from 2011-13. So far in 2014 Benoit is posting a 1.86 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 382⁄3 innings for San Diego.
So what is the cost to bring Benoit back to the Motor City?
Bowden thinks right-handed prospect Drew VerHagen, who has a 3.67 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 19 starts with Triple-A Toledo, should be enough.
"“Drew VerHagen is a firm but fair price for Benoit,” Bowden writes."
VerHagen has been called up by the Tigers for Saturdays doubleheader with the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park.
Dodgers Way
Benoit signed a 2-year, $15.5-million deal with a team option for 2016 with the Padres in the off-season after the Tigers signed closer Joe Nathan for 2 years, $20 million.
Other teams liked to Benoit include the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants.
It will be interesting to see how the Padres handle a possible trade situation without a general manager after firing Josh Byrnes last month.
Stay logged into Detroit Jock City for the latest on all the Tigers trade rumors and latest buzz in the Motor City!