Armando Benitez

For someone with a 3.51 ERA, Benitez had about as much of a maligned season as possible. Most of the criticism was deserved, however, because he pitched rather poorly, posting an awful 31:21 K:BB over 38.1 IP. He also blew nearly a third of his save opportunities, missing eight chances in 25. He's still only 34 years old and has a career 2.95 ERA, but over the last two seasons with the Giants, he's been constantly hurt and has a putrid 54:37 K:BB. Benitez is a candidate to bounce back, but expect the Giants to at least bring in closer alternatives with his health and reliability such question marks. His arthritic knees are particularly troubling.

Benitez came back very quickly from a torn groin muscle, so you can take his '05 line with a grain of salt. He's a solid second-tier closer who hasn't really pitched poorly since 1995.

For the first time in his career Benitez failed to strike out a batter an inning -- and it didn't matter, as he set career highs in virtually every other category. The declining K rate continues to be a warning flag, and expecting a repeat of that ERA and WHIP would be foolish, but he should still rack of his share of saves with the Giants.

Benitez will close for the Marlins and will try to return to his former elite status. He saved 21 games last season but only had one save opportunity (which he blew) in the last two months after he was traded to Seattle, his third team of 2003. Benitez entered last year having converted 117 of 129 save opportunities in the previous three season, a 90.7% save percentage, best in the majors. His 2003 season only enhanced his perception as combustible closer, as he blew eight save opportunities. His K:BB was less than 2:1, after posting a 3:1 ratio in 2002.

Ignore his reputation as a closer who can't come through in the clutch – when it comes to blown saves, a New York minute apparently lasts an entire career. In actuality, Benitez has converted 117 of 129 save opportunities, a 90.7% save percentage, best in the majors. Benitez's strikeout rate remains superb, and he even improved his control last year. Some reputations die hard.