The San Diego Padres signing of Joaquin Benoit improved their bullpen but the team will not place him in the closers role. Huston Street will remain as the Padres closer according to general manager Josh Byrnes.
“Street is still our closer,” Byrnes said via San Diego Union-Tribute. “Huston has done it very well for a long time. Benoit has done it for four years. Huston is a pro. Nothing changes here. We do have a decision for 2015. Nothing is guaranteed for 2015.”
Street has a team option for 2015 at $7 million while Benoit’s recent signing by the Padres has him earning at-least $15.5 million. He can earn up to $22 million should an option vest for 2016.
Long story short: The always fragile Street could lose his closers role at any point in 2014 with Benoit read to step in.
