Has been thrown. Thrown down. Down to the ground.
Not only did Brian Sabean trade Armando Benitez tonight for Randy Messenger –– basically a forgotten arm in a Florida system chock-full of young guns — and not only did he agree to eat most of Benitez’s salary, but Sabes also issued a fierce challenge:
“Tonight we got three hits, looked as dead as a doornail, and that wasn't Armando's fault," Sabean said. "We're at a crossroads in my mind. Apparently, the fans, the press and maybe some people in the clubhouse felt he needed to go. We're going to find out what they're made of now that they don't have a whipping boy. We'll see who's strong enough to be a whipping boy."
Although signing Benitez was Sabean’s idea, and a risky one, I see where he’s coming from now. He’s in a defensive crouch, but he’s also saying that everyone needs to step up.
OK, Brian, fair enough. You’re not going to trade young pitching unless someone overwhelms you. We heard that today. But if the team continues to flail and score a measly two runs a game, whose fault is that?
SMALL PRINT UPDATE: Benitez out, Messenger in. According to the AP, the Giants will pay $4,733,333 of the remainder of Benitez’s salary. No word yet who pays the $3.2 M deferred til ‘08 and ‘09.
