Padres sign Joaquin Benoit to two-year pact

Thirty-six year old Joaquin Benoit has agreed to a two-year, $15.5 million deal with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, according to reports. The talks between the Padres and the right-hander were said to be "heating up" on Wednesday morning. The deal will become official once Benoit passes his physical. 

Benoit went 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP (209 ERA+) while saving 24 of his 26 opportunities. He posted a 9.8 SO/9 rate and a 3.0 BB/9 rate while having the second-best season of his career (according to ERA+ ratings). Benoit should be a force in the back end of the Padres bullpen, but is unlikely to become closer. Huston Street is currently the San Diego Padres closer. 

Over his career, Benoit has posted a 4.11 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 12 big league seasons. As a relief pitcher over his career Benoit has pitched very well, pitching to a 3.17 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.

The Padres will continue to add to their bullpen that was very strong during the 2013 season, posting the 10th-highest ERA in the Major Leagues. They lost key reliever Luke Gregerson to the Athletics this offseason, which could be one of the main reasons why Benoit will be added to this already strong bullpen. If Benoit pitches as well as he can, the Padres will be getting an excellent reliever for $7.25 million a year.