Updated at 4:22 p.m., Thursday, May 31, 2007
Giants trade reliever Benitez to Marlins for Messenger
By Ben Walker
Associated Press
Neither team made an official announcement. Asked whether Benitez had been sent to the Marlins, agent Mike Powers said, "It's a done deal."
Benitez was 0-3 with nine saves in 11 chances and a 4.67 ERA. His final game for the Giants was Tuesday night, when he balked twice in the 12th inning of a 5-4 loss to the New York Mets.
Benitez was not in the clubhouse after the Giants' 4-2 loss and his locker was completely cleaned out.
"Maybe Elvis has left the building," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Benitez is owed $5,066,666 from the remainder of his $7.6 million salary this year, of which Florida will pay $333,333 and San Francisco $4,733,333.
Messenger was 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA going into the Marlins' game at Milwaukee.
