Dealing with a 36-year-old pitcher, the inclination is to believe that this is some of the random fluctuation that happens with relief pitchers. In this case, that is only part of the story, according to data from fangraphs.com. While it is true that the rate of fly balls against Benoit that went out of the park was a particularly high 18.2 percent in 2012, and 8.1 percent in 2013 (his career rate is 9.9), there also were fewer fly balls being hit off Benoit.

This year marked the first time in Benoit’s career that more ground balls (42.3 percent) than fly balls (38 percent) were hit against the Dominican reliever. Line drives accounted for the remaining 19.6 percent, in line with Benoit’s career line drive rate of 19.9. The reason for this is anything but random. It is a direct effect of Benoit’s pitch selection.

According to PitchF/x data, Benoit threw his two-seam fastball — a ground ball pitch — nearly four times more often in 2013 than he did in 2012. As the two-seamer went from accounting for 6 percent of his offerings to 22.2 percent, Benoit cut back in almost equal proportions on his four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup. The four-seam, which Benoit threw 65 percent of the time as recently as 2010, this year represented only 38.5 percent of his offerings.

Benoit was 24-for-26 in save opportunities during the regular season, with 73 strikeouts in his 67 innings and a 1.030 WHIP. Still, the Tigers signed Joe Nathan to be their closer, so Benoit is moving on to San Diego for two years and what CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports will be close to $15 million once the reliever passes his physical.

The Padres already have a closer, Huston Street, who has one year and $7 million left on his contract, plus a $7 million team option for 2015. So, what would San Diego, not a big-spending club, want with Benoit at slightly more money than Street?

Street converted 33 of his 35 save opportunities in 2013, but there are numbers that point to concern for the 30-year-old. The right-hander’s strikeout rate dropped to 7.3 per nine innings, the lowest of his career. Meanwhile, Street allowed a career-high 12 home runs in 56.2 innings, and his ground ball rate dropped precipitously. Unlike Benoit, there was no change in Street’s pitch repertoire — he’s the same sinker/slider pitcher he has been, but this year more balls went in the air, and over fences.

If the Padres believe Street’s dip is a blip, then adding Benoit simply stands as a move to strengthen the back end of the San Diego bullpen, a valid desire for any team. But the Padres also know the value of relief pitching on the trade market this winter, having sent Luke Gregerson to the Oakland A’s for Seth Smith.

Street is six years younger than Grant Balfour, and if his option is exercised, makes $1 million less over the next two seasons than the Aussie closer who agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Earlier this offseason, Baltimore got infielder Jemile Weeks and catching prospect David Freitas from Oakland for closer Jim Johnson, who is expected to get an eight-figure salary in arbitration.

Given his contract, age, and resume, Street’s trade value should be higher. What the Padres could get for him undoubtedly would be better than what they gave up to get Street two years ago from the Colorado Rockies: left-hander Nick Schmidt, who is now 28 and had a 4.71 ERA at Triple-A Colorado Springs this year.

However it works out, it’s good business for the Padres, who could be a sleeper contender in the National League West in 2014 if their starting pitching plans pan out with Andrew Cashner continuing to blossom into an ace, Josh Johnson and Ian Kennedy returning to form, and Robbie Erlin delivering on his promise.


BRAVES ACQUIRE DOUMIT


Looking for catching depth after losing Brian McCann to free agency, the Atlanta Braves have acquired Ryan Doumit from the Minnesota Twins for left-hander Sean Gilmartin.

The 32-year-old Doumit could share time with Evan Gattis, a rookie last season who is McCann's projected replacement as Atlanta's primary starter.

Doumit played his first seven seasons with Pittsburgh, then spent two years in Minnesota. He hit .247 with 14 homers and 55 RBIs this year, when he started only 43 games at catcher and also played in the outfield.

Gilmartin, the 28th overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft, was 3-8 with a 5.74 ERA at Triple-A Gwinnett last season.


TRIBE TRADES FOR OUTMAN


The Indians have acquired left-hander Josh Outman from Colorado for outfielder Drew Stubbs.

The 29-year-old Outman spent most of last season with the Rockies, going 3-0 with a 4.33 ERA in 61 relief appearances. Outman limited left-handed hitters to a .198 average and had a 3.41 ERA in hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The Indians had issues getting out left-handers, a reason they acquired Marc Rzepczynski from St. Louis before the trade deadline.

Outman has a 12-11 career record with a 4.61 ERA 146 games for Oakland and Colorado.

Stubbs, who came to Cleveland in last December's trade with Cincinnati for Shin-Soo Choo, batted .233 with 10 homers and 17 steals as a part-time player for the Indians. Cleveland's signing of free agent David Murphy made Stubbs expendable.

Contributors: Jesse Spector, The Associated Press