NEW YORK, 18 July 2003 — Armando Benitez, despised by New York Mets fans after blowing seven of 28 save situations, was traded to the cross-town rival New York Yankees here Wednesday for three right-handed pitching prospects. The 30-year-old right-hander should find the Major League Baseball tensions eased with the Yankees, who figure to use him as a set-up relief pitcher for Panamanian closer Mariano Rivera.
“With the addition of Armando, we addressed the need for a proven power arm at the back end of the bullpen,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.
“We are excited to add Armando because we believe he will help solidify the bridge between our starters and Mariano Rivera.”
The Yankees parted with Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa and are expected to pay 2 million dollars of the remaining 2.8 million dollars on the contract of Benitez, who becomes a free agent after the season.
Benitez is the third Mets pitcher to save at least 30 games for three straight years, but he has struggled in big games, including some against the Yankees.
Benitez blew the opening game of the 2000 World Series against the Yankees and faltered two weeks ago in inter-league games against the Yankees when he issued four walks to force in the tying run.
Benitez is 3-3 with a 3.10 earned-run average and his most recent blown save came Sunday against Philadelphia in the final game before the All-Star Game break.
Fans in Yankee Stadium have been hostile to Benitez as well. In 1998, he was a Baltimore pitcher who retaliated for a three-run home run by Bernie Williams by hitting Tino Martinez in the back with a pitch, sparking a benches-clearing brawl.
Minnesota Finally Get Their
Man in Stewart Trade
In Minneapolis, the Minnesota Twins acquired outfielder Shannon Stewart from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, sending outfielder Bobby Kielty to Canada in return. The Twins have lost 22 of their last 28 games, and the last eight straight, to lie 7 1/2 games behind the first place Kansas City Royals in the AL Central.
Stewart was Toronto’s lead-off hitter and left fielder and was expected to be moved due to his high salary as the Blue Jays look to trim payroll.
He’s hitting .294 with seven homers and 35 RBI despite missing almost the entire month of June with a strained hamstring.
Minnesota has tried to acquire Stewart for several seasons. His best year was in 2000, when he hit .319 with 21 homers, 69 RBI, 20 stolen bases and 107 runs scored. He stole a career-high 51 bases with the Jays in 1998.
