Anna Benson provided the only ASSet to the Kris Benson signing
By John Ryan
On Saturday afternoon, the Phillies officially cut ties with SP Kris Benson.
The move represents a waving of the white flag from the Phillies perspective who basically used a combination of the Pedro Feliz signing and the Kris Benson signing as reasoning for not bringing back all-star Kyle Lohse.
Benson sported a 1-6 record with a 5.78 ERA in stints with the Lehigh-Valley Iron Pigs, the Clearwater Threshers, and the Reading Phillies. While Benson did have an impressive stretch in AAA where he gave up just 9 ER’s in 33 IP, his 5.78 ERA ultimately doomed him, as well as his disastrous last start on August 27 where he pitched just 4 innings and gave up 6 ER’s.
With the trade for Joe Blanton and the emergence of J.A. Happ as an impact call-up from AAA, Benson was deemed expendable. Benson himself admited he probably wasn’t going to be ready for the 2008 season, and also stated he didn’t see himself pitching past 6-7 innings per outing.
Benson, who is now a free agent, is free to sign with any team and if signed before Monday could be post-season eligible. It’s doubtful Benson would be of any help to any team this year, however he could be an astute pick-up for a pitching starved team for 2009 on an incentive laden contract.
Photo courtesy of rotorob.com.
benson has no mlb future- thanks for being an awesome AAA pitcher benson- we love you man! good luck next year bro!