Baseball musical chairs? Benitez to Mariners for Nelson.

[Zeno]

From ESPN article:

"SEATTLE -- Just 2½ weeks after getting him, the New York Yankees traded Armando Benitez to the Seattle Mariners for fellow reliever Jeff Nelson in a surprising swap Wednesday between division leaders.


"It is definitely unusual, but we were both interested in improving ourselves,'' Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Hopefully we did that.''


The deal comes less than a week after the trade deadline. Each team actually claimed the other player, permitting them to make a deal only with each other. Each right-hander is eligible to become a free agent after the season.


Seattle and New York open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Friday night."



I haven't figured this one out yet. The Yanks didn't use Benitez much. Nelson is familar with both clubs so it may be better deal for the Yankees. Benitez is a wild card now more than ever. A real gamble I think, I hope it pays off. With Oakland breathing down their necks the Mariners cannot afford to make many mistakes. Only a 3 game lead at present.

The Yanks/Mariners series will be a good one to watch this weekend. Hope Moyer pitches one of the games.

-Zeno