Toronto Blue Jays: Problem Swap – Drew Storen for Joaquin Benoit
The Drew Storen era is over for the Toronto Blue Jays, after they traded the reliever to the Seattle Mariners for right-hander Joaquin Benoit.
The Drew Storen saga is officially over. The Toronto Blue Jays decided to exchange problematic relievers, by pulling the trigger on a deal with the Seattle Mariners for their 39-year-old veteran, Joaquin Benoit.
Storen, who was acquired back in January in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere, was absolutely awful during his stint in Southern Ontario. The righty was brought in to bolster the backend of the bullpen, but could never get it going this year.
The 28-year old went 1-3 in 38 appearances, with an ugly ERA of 6.21. This is the same man who challenged Roberto Osuna for the closer’s role in spring training.
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Prior to coming to Toronto, Storen collected 95 saves, all with the Nationals, and in 2014 had a career best ERA of 1.12. Regardless, in exchange for their struggling pitcher, the Blue Jays pick up another one.
In 26 games with the Mariners this season, Benoit has a 5.18 ERA, his highest since 2004. Just last season, he pitched in 67 games, recording a 2.34 ERA and .903 WHIP.
This season – like Storen’s – is an outlier for Benoit. Between 2010 and 2015, his ERA has been over three only once, and has been under two, twice.
The Dominican Republic native is either having an off season, or his age is finally catching up to him. However, even though he is advanced in age and experiencing inflated numbers, his stuff has not slowed down.
Benoit’s fastball this season is still traveling to the plate at over 94 mph. In addition, he still has an excellent changeup that he is not afraid to throw at any time in any at-bat.
So what does the former starter have, that Storen does not? For starters, experience.
Benoit has played in the Majors for15 years. He has pitched in almost every possible situation and can approach each at-bat with a “been there done that” attitude.
Also, 13 of those years have been in the American League. By comparison, Storen had only pitched in the National League before coming to Toronto.
On Wednesday night, Benoit got the opportunity to pitch for his new team. He got through an inning with two strikeouts and no hits.
In the process, the former Texas Ranger also surrendered two walks. Not the best day at the office, but far from the worst one.
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At the end of the day, John Gibbons lost faith in Storen. There was no situation where the Blue Jays manager felt comfortable throwing him in the game.
Overall, what’s the worst that can happen? Storen was not going to get another opportunity, so if Benoit does not work out it’s no big deal.
Maybe a change of scenery is just what Benoit needs; maybe it’s what both struggling pitchers need. In addition, his is not the first time this season the Blue Jays acquired a struggling 39-year old pitcher.
At the end of May, Jason Grilli came to Toronto with a 5.29 ERA in 17 innings. Since then, he has become a key piece beside Osuna at the back of the bullpen, with a 2.04 ERA.
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Maybe Benoit pulls a Grilli. Maybe he doesn’t. But Storen was not getting the job done, and it is a low-risk high-reward move.