Seattle Mariners Season Preview: Joaquin Benoit

Reliever Joaquin Benoit  is entering his 15th season in the major leagues and his first with the Seattle Mariners.

Joaquin Benoit was dealt to the Seattle Mariners from the San Diego Padres in exchange for a pair of minor-leaguers this past November. He will be 39 years old this summer, but he has pitched like he is 29 the last few years. He was the setup man for the Padres the last two seasons. He also closed for the Tigers in 2013 when they reached the ALCS. He notched 24 saves that year and three in the postseason. He had 13 saves in two seasons in San Diego.

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The Good

The 38-year-old right-hander’s ERA has been under 2.35 in each of the last three seasons, including a 1.49 ERA in 2014. Benoit has established himself as a high-quality veteran arm late in the game. His strikeout rate has not dropped off and his WHIP has been under 1.00 for two straight years. In other words, this was a great get for the Mariners, who struggled mightily when the game was handed over to the bullpen last season.

Benoit is accustomed to pitching at Safeco Field. He has spent 12 seasons pitching in the American League, including 8 years with the Texas Rangers. Benoit has gone 3-1 while posting a 2.95 ERA and 1 save across 22 career appearances at Safeco Field. His numbers in the other AL West parks are stellar as well.

The Bad

There is the obvious factor that Benoit will soon be 39 years old. As the saying goes, ‘Father Time is undefeated.’ Benoit hasn’t slowed much over the past few years, but a decline is inevitable. However, even Benoit doesn’t replicate his 2015 season, it will still be better than what the Mariners got out of their bullpen last season.

The Future

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The Santiago, DR product thrived pitching in the spacious confines of Petco Park in San Diego. Results should be similar this season. He also has appeared in at least 53 games in six straight years, indicating he stays relatively healthy. This bullpen needed a veteran anchor and Benoit is the man. He is presumed to be the M’s setup guy in 2016, and Benoit should flourish in this role.

If the Mariners want to get into the playoffs this season, Benoit a good guy to have in the bullpen. He has pitched in 20 playoff games over four different postseasons including a World Series in 2012 with Detroit.

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According to Baseball Reference, Joaquin Benoit is projected to have a 3.00 ERA, a 4-4 record with 60 strikeouts in 63 innings. Though the ERA is a bit higher, that is around where he has been in the last few years. I predict his ERA won’t be that high, given the Mariners play 81 games at Safeco. I predict a 2.75 ERA over 60 appearances.