Major League Baseball

Sources: Tigers, RHP Benoit agree to deal

Published Nov. 17, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million contract with right-hander Joaquin Benoit, major-league sources told FOXSports.com.

Benoit, 33, is one of the more intriguing arms in a deep class of relief pitchers. Signed to a minor-league deal just as spring training began, Benoit had one of the best seasons of any setup man this year, compiling a 1.34 ERA and 25 holds in 63 appearances. Benoit showed improved stuff, coming off surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.

By losing Benoit to the Tigers, the Tampa Bay Rays will receive a sandwich-round pick in the 2011 amateur draft. But the pick does not come at the expense of the Tigers. Rather, it is a new selection added to that round of the draft.

With the division-rival Twins and White Sox also looking for bullpen upgrades, the Tigers wanted to work quickly. The Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers and Cubs are also involved in the marketplace.

Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that relief pitching is “one of the stronger areas in free agency.”

There is no ambiguity about who the Tigers’ closer will be: Jose Valverde has recovered from a second-half groin injury and will be back in the role next year. But Detroit isn’t done upgrading its bullpen yet. The team would like to add a left-handed reliever capable of pitching in the seventh or eighth inning.

Dombrowski said Tuesday that late-inning reliever Joel Zumaya is expected to be ready for spring training, after his 2010 season was cut short by the latest in a series of arm injuries.
 

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