Joaquin Benoit (back) of the San Diego Padres hugs Derek Norris after their victory over the Chicago Cubs on April 19, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.
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In return, the Padres obtained a pair of minor leaguers: right-handed pitcher Enyel De Los Santos and infielder Nelson Ward.
In the Mariners’ announcement, executive vice president and general manager Jerry Dipoto spoke of his new acquisition: “Joaquin is a proven late-game presence who brings both stability and impact to the back end of our bullpen”. In 2015, serving as the primary set-up man to Craig Kimbrel, Benoit pitched to a 2.34 ERA in 65 1/3 innings, striking out 63 and walking 23.
“We’ll go out there, look at more trade possibilities and free agents”, Preller said. For his career, Benoit has limited opposing hitters to a. 223 batting average against, including a. 214 mark by left-handed hitters (.233 vs. RHH). The Padres picked up his $7.5 million team option for the 2016 season likely knowing there’d be suitors for him in a possible trade. Last week, he dealt Brad Miller, Danny Farquhar, and Logan Morrison to the Rays for Nathan Karns, CJ Riefenhauser, and Boog Powell.
De Los Santos, 19, was 6-0 with a 3.47 ERA last season in 13 starts for Rookie Peoria and Short-A Everett.
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Ward, 23, was Seattle’s twelfth-round pick in the 2014 draft out of the University of Georgia and has experience as a second baseman, shortstop and third baseman. 278 with 81 runs scored, 9 home runs, 55 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 122 games.
