Joaquin Benoit was signed to a two year contract today for 2008 and 2009. Benoit will make $2 million next year and $3.5 million in 2009. He also gets a $500,000 signing bonus.
You know what? Good. A few years back I wouldn’t have been saying that, but he’s developed into a great pitcher out of the pen. The fact that he survived Buck Showalter as well as all the managers and regimes from when he first was called up says something. I know I said something like this during the middle of the season, but it bears repeating on this day when he signed on.
This buys out his last year of arbitration and his first year of free agency.
He’s also the longest tenured Texas Ranger, making his first appearance in August of 2001. The year of Arod, Caminiti, and Galarraga. He’s been here awhile, although he’s been in the system for far longer than that, having originally signed in May of 1996.
I’m glad. Good for Jack.