Benitez to the Yankees

[Teenweek]

Yanks will go
with Benitez

Trade in place, to Mets' relief

By SAM BORDEN in New York and BILL MADDEN in Chicago
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS


It looks like Armando Benitez will be wearing pinstripes soon.


Benitez makes his last appearance in Met uniform, taking a walk with Barry Bonds, before last night' s All-Star Game.

The Mets and Yankees have tentatively agreed to a blockbuster deal that would put Armando Benitez in pinstripes, sources told the Daily News last night.
The two clubs were under strict orders from commissioner Bud Selig not to make any announcements that would steal the spotlight from the All-Star Game, which is why the trade won't be official until today. Benitez was a member of the National League team last night in Chicago, though he didn't see any action.

But he will be a Yankee today, with the Bombers sending three minor leaguers to the Mets in exchange for their much-maligned closer. The three righthanded pitchers - Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa - are not top-level prospects, which is why the Yankees will pay the rest of the Benitez's nearly $7 million salary.

When asked for comment on the deal last night, officials for both clubs said only that talks were ongoing. Benitez's agent Mike Powers said he was not aware that a deal had been reached.

Benitez, a free agent at the end of this season, has 21 saves this year, but has also blown seven chances - including an infamous four-walk meltdown to the Yankees and one last Sunday in what now looms as his final game as a Met. Cracking under pressure has always been the biggest knock against Benitez, but the Bombers will use him as a setup man - as he was earlier in his career - and give Joe Torre a bridge to Mariano Rivera.

Owner George Steinbrenner said he wanted to "settle down" the pen two weeks ago, and after Ugueth Urbina was traded from Texas to Florida, Yankee brass figured Benitez was the best arm available.

Trades between the two teams are rare. The last one was in 2001, when the Mets sent Robin Ventura to the Yanks in exchange for David Justice.

But this is a deal of far greater magnitude, if only because of Benitez's history. In addition to a litany of catastrophic moments in big spots (notably a blown save in Game 1 of the 2000 Series vs. the Yankees), Benitez also sparked an ugly brawl with his new team, by hitting Tino Martinez in 1998 while with the Orioles.

During the ensuing melee, the righty was chased into the dugout by Graeme Lloyd and Darryl Strawberry and grabbed by David Wells. Although there has been significant turnover in the Yankees clubhouse since then, several current Yankees - Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, among them - were furious with Benitez afterward.

GM Brian Cashman was there then, too, and had harsh words for the player he will welcome today.

"That was the most chicken--- stuff I've ever seen in my life," Cashman said of Benitez's drilling Martinez.

Williams, who hit a long homer one batter before Benitez hit Martinez, said, "You give up a homer, be a man. Be professional about it."

In his book "Perfect I'm Not," Wells refers to his former Oriole teammate's "career-long series of big-game collapses" and describes him as "about as reliable as a schizophrenic on crack." He also describes grabbing Benitez around the neck when they were opponents in the Martinez game, saying he squeezed hard enough to make "reliever juice" as the Oriole screamed "Lemme go!"

One can only wonder how the clubhouse introductions will go when Benitez first shows his face in the Bronx, but the fact of the matter is, he gives the Yankees what they need. Although the Mets and Yanks are usually averse to dealing with each other - partially because of Steinbrenner's fear that a Yankee prospect would bloom with the Mets - fate seemed to keep pushing them together.

For the Mets, the move is a continuation of interim GM Jim Duquette's youth movement. Roberto Alomar was traded to the White Sox on July 1, and Jeromy Burnitz wa

[yarpwizard]

Please God make it happen...the Mets should take anything they can get!...even a batboy and a jug of water.

<img src=http://yarpwizard.50megs.com/images/ronfez3.gif>

A mind is a terrible thing to dyworf.

[Immigration Dude]

HAHA. Have fun guys. This is close to the Yanks, during the offseason aquiring Contreras to help the bullpen get younger. How do you sign some Cuban whose age you have no clue about?

<IMG SRC=http://f5.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/ALgIP_wZS6izYjqZYGkUg8eVt6ebH9YylCXvsw-w4BR8YOqu1c0tPEo_ER9lNVkeOheJtOjk9SXg1nQv/sigpic-imdude.JPG>

Master of the Red X

[Teenweek]

Well his 2 biggest problems are the Yankees and Braves. He will be on the Yankees and will not be facing the Braves. I have no problem with it. He is not saving games. He is a setupp man for Mariano. Now we have 2 guys throwing mid 90's. And don't you know as soon as someone comes the Yankees, they become allstars.

http://publish.hometown.aol.com/egudsze246/images/teenweeksig1.jpg

[phixion]

will not be facing the Braves


world series, game 7, 8th inning. yanks up 3-2. benitez comes out of the bullpen. benitez commences in walking 3 out of 5 batters. up steps chipper jones. first pitch a fast ball low and outside....and OH MY GOD!!!!! ive never seen a ball hit that hard. wow. theres no way this ball can stay in the bronx.



still think benitez cant fuk u over wiht the braves? ha ha ha

<IMG SRC="http://www.southparkx.net/images/fbad.gif">
"I'll kick you in the nuts, Kenny!!!"

[Teenweek]

world series, game 7, 8th inning. yanks up 3-2. benitez comes out of the bullpen. benitez commences in walking 3 out of 5 batters. up steps chipper jones. first pitch a fast ball low and outside....and OH MY GOD!!!!! ive never seen a ball hit that hard. wow. theres no way this ball can stay in the bronx.



still think benitez cant fuk u over wiht the braves? ha ha ha



No because in that situation,
1)rivera will pitch 2 innings.
2)Yankees would win against the Braves in 6 or less.
3)I don't think the Braves will be in the World Series.

http://publish.hometown.aol.com/egudsze246/images/teenweeksig1.jpg

[fatty]

there is a god.
enjoy him yankee fans, even if he does good 40 out of 41 times it's that one that will knock you out of the playoffs.

i'm so glad he's a yankee.

<IMG SRC=http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/aggie2323/fatty.gif>
<marquee>Asked her who's the man and she said it's fatty, then i bust in her e-y-e

[SuperClerk]

I'm more than willing to take a chance that Benitez will completely crumble as a Yankee. If he succeeds, so be it. But it is more than worth it if and when he buckles under pressure. Good riddance Armando!!!!!

<IMG SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~wwfallon/RFnetSuperClerk2.jpg">

It's always fun until someone gets hurt.....and then it's just hilarious.

Fallon Rules!

[Heavy]

He is not a fucking Yankee.

Mad props to Fluff for the sig and C.O.soup for hosting!
<img src="http://publish.hometown.aol.com/canofsoup15/images/jwaddsig.gif">

[Teenweek]

and the best thing ever would be for him to get his head together and become dominant and help the Yankees win another World Series.

http://publish.hometown.aol.com/egudsze246/images/teenweeksig1.jpg

[McNabbShouldDie]

Notice though that on the Mets Benitez always fucked up as a closer. As the report states Benitez is going to the Yanks to be a setup man to Rivera. Benitez was always an OK pitcher if he played a middle reliever rather then a closer. Us Yankee fans are never gonna have to feel the pain of a blown save by Benitez cause he aint gonna be in charged of saving on the Yanks.

Overall, a nice pickup for the Yankes, better then Boston getting him.

<center><img src=http://members.aol.com/mcnabbshoulddie/myhomepage/rfnetmcnabbshoulddie.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US>

Good morning heartache, your like an old friend, come and see me again. - Rancid</center>

[RF Godfather]

I read about this and am just waiting for official word of this happens. When this happens... God does exist and he is a Met fan!

But I have a sinking suspicion, he'll do good and maybe win a championship. But I don't care. You can have him. As Sid has said repeatedly to all the Yankee fans that call, "HE'S YOURS!" :D

http://members.aol.com/nycsmart/images/tnasig.jpgEVOLUTION IS THE SOLUTION!
III

[Teenweek]

God is a Mets fun huh. 26 World titles vs 2 and the only reason you won the last one was because it was against Boston. And because God is a Yankees fan the Mets from New York is the lesser of 2 evils than the Red Sox winning one.

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[Spank Daddy]

Notice though that on the Mets Benitez always fucked up as a closer. As the report states Benitez is going to the Yanks to be a setup man to Rivera. Benitez was always an OK pitcher if he played a middle reliever rather then a closer. Us Yankee fans are never gonna have to feel the pain of a blown save by Benitez cause he aint gonna be in charged of saving on the Yanks.

It doesn't matter what role he pitches in, the odds are he's gonna fuck it up for you guys.........then you'll really see what a choker he is in close game situations. You think the pressure was on him with the fans at Shea?? Wait until he starts giving up runs while working for Boss George in the House that Ruth built. The back pages of the N.Y. papers are gonna be exciting ( George revives "Fat Toad" remark, Benitez seen crying in locker room ).

Baltimore could not WAIT to get rid of him......he blew many important games for them, and continued to do that with the Mets. There's still alot of bad blood between Benitez and the Yanks from his days in Baltimore. Soon his teammates are gonna get pissed at him for giving up runs. As a Met fan, here's hoping for some clubhouse cancer on your pennant dreams.......Ha Ha !!! Good riddence.

P.S. Hey Yankee fans......can we interest you in taking Cedeno off our hand too ???

[A.J.]

THANK GOD the Red Sox did not trade for him.

<IMG SRC="http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/ajdcsig.jpg">

A Skidmark production.

[schmega]

i still want him dead after beaning tino. DEAD! and he's as effective in the postseason as Kenny frickin Rogers.

benitez may suck against the braves, but the braves suck even more against the yankees. on top of that, the braves will never make it out of the NL. they're gutless.

[billyio]

Oh please please please be true!

I got a thrill at the fact that he didn't get into the All-Star game. What a joke that he had to represent the Mets

See Ya!

[schmega]

What a joke that he had to represent the Mets

yes, it was a joke. the mets, that is.

[HBox]

ESPN is reporting that it is now official.

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!NO!

My greatest fear now is thet Rivera gets injured and Benitez has to close. :shudder:

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Heavy]

He'll be playing in Detroit by the end of the year.

Mad props to Fluff for the sig and C.O.soup for hosting!
<img src="http://publish.hometown.aol.com/canofsoup15/images/jwaddsig.gif">

[Marist Mike]

As a Yankee fan I guess this move makes sense because with Urbina traded to Florida Benitez was the best available...in a big spot I am worried but we'll have to see if this Yankee magic rubs on Armando...but the weird part will be rooting for someone I've been making fun of since he gave up the Jeffrey Maier homer in 96...lol

[Clark Kent]

If Benitez thought the Mets fans were harsh when he blew a game, just wait until the Bleacher Creatures sink their teeth into him when he blows an October game against Seattle. (Enter evil laugh here). See ya Armando!

<center><img border=1 src="http://home.comcast.net/~wwfallon/RFnetClarkKent.gif">
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[Teenweek]

Benitez will work the 7th and or 8th inning. If he blows a lead how much different would it be than what the Yankees currently have. With less pressure to save games and the mystique and aura of being a Yankee, this is a perfect fit for the yankees. Worst case and he totally bombs, they will send him down to Tampa and just not resign him next year.

Mets fans are scared to death of him succeeding as a Yankee. That is your worst nightmare. Yes i always hated him and yes I always made fun of him, but he is a Yankee now and I hope he makes it.

If he does get his head together and pitches like he does against bad teams, that will be a lethal combo in Benitez and Rivera and it will only save Rivera from having to go 2 innings.

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[JerryTaker]

just wait until the Bleacher Creatures sink their teeth into him when he blows an October game


It won't take that long. His first appearence, he'll be called in to protect a 6-3 lead in the 8th to a chorus of 40,000 "BOO!"s

If he choked in front of an empty stadium in Flushing, he'll disintegrate in the Bronx

<IMG SRC="http://afs30.njit.edu/~gsm2321/snowsig.gif">

Even in death you still look sad.
Don't leave me! Dont leave me, here.

[Cybersoldier]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! that my opinion on this subject. Let the mets keep him, but no someone on crack in the yankees management says let get benitez.

<IMG SRC="http://publish.hometown.aol.com/cybersoldiernyc/myhomepage/cybersoldier.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US">

[Jackie Sloan]

If he succeeds, they finally found someone since Nelson left. If he fails, he'll be gone faster than you can say Juan Acevedo.

<IMG SRC="http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/jackie.jpg">

Huge thanks to Aggie n' Silent

[Heavy]

Well since he's here now we might aswell try to help the fucker out. I hope he gets in tonight and the place goes crazy so he understands its a fresh start in the Bronx. If they boo him when he enters the game, he'll piss himself and blow the game.

Mad props to Fluff for the sig and C.O.soup for hosting!
<img src="http://publish.hometown.aol.com/canofsoup15/images/jwaddsig.gif">

[MASTER WINDU]

Maybe getting the chance to play for a winner is just what Benitez needs. Good trade for everyone. Jason Anderson is a hard thrower and was just honored by the S I Yankees A team for being their first player to go to the big show with the Yankees.

[Teenweek]

Anyone watching Benitez absolutely blow away teh Indians

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[SuperClerk]

Great. Just great.

<IMG SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~wwfallon/RFnetSuperClerk.jpg">

It's always fun until someone gets hurt.....and then it's just hilarious.

Fallon Rules!

[Clark Kent]

Christ, what's next? Roger Cedeno goes to the Yanks and can actually hit again? Everything the damn Yankees touch turns to gold. It's sickening!

<center><img border=1 src="http://home.comcast.net/~wwfallon/RFnetClarkKent.gif">
</center>

[McNabbShouldDie]

Christ, what's next? Roger Cedeno goes to the Yanks and can actually hit again?


Cedeno couldnt hit a 50 mile pitch with a 2 foot wide bat. Hes a complete zilch and im absolutely certain that he is the WORST player in baseball.

<center><img src=http://members.aol.com/mcnabbshoulddie/myhomepage/rfnetmcnabbshoulddie.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US>

Good morning heartache, your like an old friend, come and see me again. - Rancid</center>

[jocefus]

Christ, what's next? Roger Cedeno goes to the Yanks and can actually hit again? Everything the damn Yankees touch turns to gold. It's sickening!


he pitched well... it is his first game in pinstripes and his first time really pitching to al hitters, not counting the world series and interleague... have to wait til september to see if he can really stand the pressure

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sig courtesy of amy

[Teenweek]

he pitched well... it is his first game in pinstripes and his first time really pitching to al hitters, not counting the world series and interleague... have to wait til september to see if he can really stand the pressure



you do know he pitched for baltimore right? yesterday was major pressure because it was his first game as a yankee and he pitched awesome. mets fans were crying see him pitch that last strikeout and get a standing ovation.

first real pressure will be next week in fenway.

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