Mariners Acquire Benes In A Trade With San Diego
The Seattle Mariners on Monday acquired San Diego Padres righthanded pitcher Andy Benes for left-hander Ron Villone and outfielder Marc Newfield.
The Mariners also will receive a minor-league player to be named later.
Benes, 27, has a 4-7 record with a 4.17 ERA in 19 starts with the Padres this year. He was second in the National League in starts and strikeouts (126) and 10th in innings pitched (118.2). In seven years with the Padres, he is 69-75 with a 3.57 ERA in 187 career games.
“In Andy Benes, we have acquired one of the premier starting pitchers in the National Legue,” Mariners vice president Woody Woodward said. “Our ownership has recognized that (manager) Lou Piniella has the club in good position to make the postseason and this acquisition should be very beneficial …”
Last year, Benes led the National League with 189 strikeouts.
Benes was a hardluck pitcher who got little run support from the Padres. In the past few years, he allowed off-field matters to distract him - such as the trade of friends Bruce Hurst and Greg Harris in July 1993.
Benes never received a multi-year contract.
“I’m looking forward to a fresh start,” Benes said Monday night.
“I feel really bad that I didn’t perform better here. I was prepared when I went out there every time. I never left anything on the mound. I did everything to help the team win. I just didn’t get it done… .
“It’ll be different,” he added. “I’ll have an extra enthusiasm, a little extra bounce in my step… . I’m excited I’m going to a very good baseball team. I’m looking forward to contributing in a very positive way to the Seattle organization.”
Benes said he will pitch Thursday at California.
Villone, 25, was the Mariners’ first pick and 14th overall in the June 1992 draft. In two stints with the Mariners this year, the reliever is 0-2 with a 7.91 ERA in 19 relief appearances. With Triple A Tacoma this season, he had a 1-0 record with a 0.61 ERA and 13 saves in 22 relief appearances.
Newfield, 22, was the Mariners’ first pick and sixth overall in the June 1990 draft. In parts of his three seasons with the M’s, he has a majorleague career average of .201 with five homers and 25 RBIs in 58 games.