Gammons Says Benson On The Block

[3-2 Changeup]

Last night on ESPN I watched Peter Gammons give a report that the Bucs have decided that Kris Benson needs a change of scenery and are looking to move him. They had footage of Benson pitching and Gammons talked up his still unrealized potential. Is this guy whacked out or does Littlefield have something up his sleeve?

[imgreat95]

I would not be surprised to see Littlefield shopping Benson. I have heard a lkot here about upper management being pretty upset with Kris for pulling himself from the rotation.

[GiveHyzduashot]

I doubt any team will want to take on a pitcher with a shoulder injury just one and a half years removed from Tommy John surgery. Sorry guys, but no one will give us much for Benson .. if the shoulder injury is no big deal, and Benson turns it around, DL probably won't want to trade him --- for now; next year, when Benson approaches UFA, it's another story. And if Benson comes back and stinks it up, who will want him then? I just can't see how DL can or is able to trade Benson this year.

I haven't heard Benson actually pulled himself from the rotation ... from what I have heard, Spin Williams detected a mechanical flaw in his rotation, and he decided it would be good for Benson to throw on the side to work on that and allow his shoulder to get some rest simultaneously. And if Benson did pull himself from the rotation for just one start, is that a bad thing, given the way he's been pitching? It's like the same thing Wilson did when he asked to move down ... except there are no other alternatives at SS if Nunez is playing second.

[sil340]

I also saw Peter Gammons on baseball tonight talking about benson being on the trading block. I was more surprised by the fact that he said the marlins were interested. I would think that someone like atlanta would want benson. I think it would be a shame if the former first overall pick in the country ended up getting us very little. Should benson be traded, i think it would need to be for an established quality major league reliever, someone who can pinch hit with consistency, and 2 or 3 top notch AAA prospects that could help within in a year or a year and a half.

[Greymire]

I doubt anyone like Atlanta would want Benson. What has he proved so far? Even before the injury, he was inconsistent. He did seem to be heading toward his promise, but he still wasn't there. I think we already have our number one in Kip Wells. He too is a bit inconsistent, but he looks much better than Benson and right now, is much closer. He seems to keep us in the game pretty well. Add to that the fact that Suppan has been aplasant surprise and w still have Fogg, D'Amico, and Voglesong and Burnett in the wings. It actually makes some sense that we may be shopping him.

[3-2 Changeup]

And Van Beschoten, Bullington, Connolly, Oquendo and Sanchez. I think Benson needs to have his break out year before you can get anything worthwhile in exchange.

[GiveHyzduashot]

And let's not forget Dave Williams either, who is expected to be back sometime next month. He's still only 23 or 24.

[00_Agent]

I was wondering when this talk would start up. I had been meaning to post about how I wasn't so sure that Kris was going to develop into an ace, but I didn't want to jump the gun. Apparently I wasn't the only one thinking that about him.

I would trade him if I got the right package, if not, keep him and see if he develops. I think that is still the best scenario, no matter what could be offered for him. If he turns into an ace type pitcher, than in my mind we will have two between him and Kip Wells. Wells has been hampered by bad run support, but has pitched very, very well, and is younger than Benson with more velocity.

00