Benitez Nightmare Comes To An End

Giants fans got the news they have been waiting to here all season, matter of fact the last two seasons. The team announced Thursday that they had traded Armando Benitez to the Marlins in exchange for Randy Messenger. Who they got in return was not the issue, the mission was to get Benitez off this roster and out of that clubhouse as quick as possible. All things considered, I am a little surprised the Giants actually got a ML caliber reliever, especially one with the potential of Messenger. After the latest Benitez blunder, one that summed Benitez's reign as the Giants closer up in 1 inning, it was made pretty obvious that the Giants were ready to get rid of Benitez, even if it meant that they were going to have to release him. I think the Marlins could have had him for a low level prospect if they wanted to, but the Giants were able to squeeze Messenger out of the deal. Now, Messenger is no savior, and at this point his numbers would indicate that we are getting nothing better than another Vinnie Chulk or Jack Taschner. However, he is only 25 years old, and coming into the season, he was being mentioned as a closing candidate in Florida. I've seen him pitch once or twice and don't know too much about him, but according the Marlins fans his stuff is good, but his control is something that needs some work. This now changes the whole makeup of the bullpen. Brad Hennessey goes from set-up to closer and I would assume that Russ Ortiz will move into the set-up role. However Messenger turns out, the Giants gained in addition by subtraction in today's move, and Sabean finally showed that he is actually watching this team.