Blue Jays Sign Benitez

The Blue Jays and closer Armando Benitez have agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. This is likely a result to B.J. Ryan being pushed back on his workout schedule. Benitez, 35, went 2-8 with 9 saves last season with the Marlins in Giants, but has 289 saves in his fourteen year career. I think this is a good signing on the Blue Jays part. Benitez can throw hard, and having to prove himself again might motivate him to work harder. Benitez has put together a couple of poor years because of injury, but working out of a strong bullpen might benefit him. The Blue Jays might have brought him in just for a tryout, or they might be thinking long term. Stay tuned.