I know some ppl mite hav wanted him here, but he's gone to the fishies,

MIAMI -- The Marlins settled their closer situation late Saturday night by signing free agent Armando Benitez to a one-year deal reportedly worth $3.5 million.

Facing a midnight deadline to tender arbitration-eligible players, the World Series champions also signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a two-year contract worth a reported $6.2 million and right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

 

The Marlins tendered contracts to starters Brad Penny and Carl Pavano. The team will negotiate with both right-handers up until the Jan. 19 tender signing deadline, in hopes of avoiding arbitration hearings.

 

And the team non-tendered relievers Braden Looper, Armando Almanza and Toby Borland.

 

The series of moves that literally pushed the midnight deadline means the Marlins are now within their payroll budget, believed to be close to $60 million.

 

"We are within our operating range," general manager Larry Beinfest said. "There are not big parts of this team to address."

Looper, who led the team in saves with 28 in 34 opportunities, becomes a free agent, as do Almanza and Borland.

 

In parting with Looper, the Marlins are welcoming the veteran Benitez, who spent time with three teams in 2003. The hard-throwing Benitez had 21 saves in 28 opportunities and was an All-Star with the Mets before being traded to the Yankees and then the Mariners.

 

"Armando is excited about the opportunity," said Mike Powers, Benitez's agent. "We walked away on Thursday. Larry called and they moved enough [money] to get this done."

 

 

Used primarily in a setup role in the American League, Benitez was 1-1 (1.93) in nine games with the Yankees. With Seattle, he appeared in 15 games and had an ERA of 3.14 without any decisions. Benitez's contract will be finalized after he takes his physical, which could come as early as Sunday.

 

"We think this guy has a great arm," Beinfest said of the veteran closer who has 197 career saves. "We think Looper has a great arm too. But Armando is an established closer, and we think he can flourish with our club. We think he will re-establish himself as one of the top closers in the game."

 

Benitez has 764 career strikeouts in 584 1/3 innings. Beinfest is confident the hard-throwing right-hander will excel in South Florida because the Marlins play in a pitcher's park and the team plays great defense.

 

Looper was 6-4 (3.68) and appeared in a staff-high 74 games. The 29-year-old joined the Marlins in 1999 as part of the deal that sent shortstop Edgar Renteria to the Cardinals.

 

Fifth-year arbitration eligible, Gonzalez had a career high 18 home runs and he added 77 RBIs. Gonzalez's most memorable hit of 2003 was his walk-off home run in the 12th inning to beat the Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series. The signing of Gonzalez through 2005 means the Marlins infield will remain intact at least a few more seasons.

 

Beinfest says the double-play combination of Gonzalez and Gold Glove second baseman Luis Castillo ranks among the best in the game.

 

Also with Juan Pierre in center field, few teams can match the Marlins' defense up the middle.

 

Burnett, who was 0-2 (4.70), is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Marlins are hopeful he will return to the rotation before June.

 

While Borland was not tendered a contract, Beinfest said talks with the veteran reliever are under way. The team hopes to sign the right-hander to a minor league contract.

I never thought we'd get him anyways.

 

However, about a year ago, if you offered him or Koch to me, I would have taken Koch. It's amazing how quickly things can change in just 365 days.