Joaquin Benoit

2013

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2012

After a rough April and May (1-3, 5.57 ERA), Benoit bounced back to the form he showed in 2010 that made him one of the more dominant setup men in the majors. Even with the early-season hiccup, Benoit still managed to finish the season with respectable stats, going 4-3 with a 2.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 63:17 K:BB ratio. The 34-year-old reliever also racked up 29 holds and managed to vulture two saves. The Tigers will continue to roll with Jose Valverde as their closer in 2012, but Benoit would be next in line for save chances if the opportunity arose. His devastating change-up and pinpoint control should once again make him one of the better eighth-inning pitchers in the majors this season. Benoit is a great option to target in formats that reward holds or leagues deep enough to value players who will vulture a couple of saves.

2011

Benoit was a great speculative gamble by the Rays, who signed him to a minor-league contract after the pitcher passed a physical showing no ill effects from rotator cuff surgery in 2009. After a brief stint with Triple-A Durham to start the season, Benoit went on to be arguably the best setup man in the league. His 1.34 ERA and 0.680 WHIP ranked first among relievers in the American League with at least 60 innings. With the Rays in cost-cutting mode, Benoit parlayed his spectacular season into a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the Tigers. He'll likely set up for Jose Valverde and should deliver excellent peripheral numbers in that role.

2010

It's been two years now since Benoit was fully healthy, as a torn rotator cuff put an early end to his 2009 season when he went under the knife in January. He's a free agent after Texas declined to offer him arbitration. His past success as a reliever merits some attention if he shows up to spring healthy and showing good velocity, but full recovery from a torn rotator cuff is far from guaranteed.

2009

Benoit struggled with shoulder problems all season, failing to build on his solid 2007 season, and finds himself well behind Frank Francisco now in the pecking order out of the Texas bullpen. A healthy Benoit will be a reliable staff filler in 5x5 leagues, though he'll likely start the season behind Jamey Wright for set-up duties if Texas opts to keep Francisco in a closing role.

2008

Benoit earned a two-year, $6 million contract with a nice season out of the Texas bullpen. He played second fiddle to C.J. Wilson following the trade of Eric Gagne, racking up just six saves against Wilson's 12, which will likely result in a set-up role. He's settled into a relief role now after spending much of his early career in the rotation, and has always shown the ability to rack up strikeouts so he should be a legit staff-filling option for those in deeper leagues going forward. He'll battle Wilson for the closer job this spring unless Texas brings in a veteran late in the offseason.

2007

There's still a bit to like (85 Ks in 79.2 innings), but Benoit pitched almost exclusively in a mop-up role during the middle of the season, which underlines how little confidence Texas had in him. If he could shave off a walk or two per outing he'd have a chance as a nice arm out of the bullpen, but a change of scenery may be in order to see him fulfill his promise.

2006

Benoit excelled in relief for Texas, while struggling during his nine starts, so his future is in the bullpen. He's one of those guys who could chip in 80 - 100 effective innings each year, but his home park makes him too much of a risk on a fantasy roster.

2005

It was another frustrating season for Benoit as he shuttled back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen, fighting a few nagging injuries along the way. A whopping 19 HR allowed in 103 IP hide some decent peripherals, so there's still some promise here. He's not been a favorite of Buck Showalter, and he can no longer be sent to the minors without clearing waivers, so Benoit's best bet may be to head elsewhere to get a fresh start. There's still a considerable amount of talent in that right arm.

2004

Benoit is yet another live arm that hasn't yet developed for Texas. Minor elbow and shoulder woes shelved him for a few weeks this season, but continued control problems is what really haunted him. He gives up the longball too often (23 in 105 innings) to be a reliable mid-rotation starter. The K:9 rate shows some promise, and there's been some talk that he might be better suited coming out of the bullpen.

2003

Benoit appeared in 17 games down the stretch for Texas (including 13 starts) and struggled with control. Wildness hasn't been an issue in the past, and he all but has a rotation spot waiting for him if he can avoid injury and have a decent spring. There are likely to be some growing pains along the way, though. He's out of options, and there's no way that Texas is going to expose him to waivers.