December 22, 200322 yr Armando Benitez agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Florida Marlins late Saturday night, a move which prompted the team not to offer a deal to former closer Braden Looper. Benitez had 21 saves last season for the New York Mets before being traded to the Yankees in July. The Yankees dealt him to Seattle three weeks later. The signing is contingent on Benitez passing a physical, Marlins spokesman Steve Copses said. ``We think this guy has a great arm,'' Florida general manager Larry Beinfest said. ``We think Looper has a great arm, too. But Armando is an established closer, and we think he can flourish with our club.'' The right-hander was the Mets' closer since 1999, saving 160 games in 185 chances and representing them on this year's All-Star team. He blew six of his 10 postseason save chances while with the Mets, a major league record.
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