Benoit suffered his first blown save of the season Sunday during an eventual walkoff win versus the Braves.

After giving up a leadoff double in the top of the ninth inning, Benoit fielded a comebacker and attempted to take out a streaking Jason Heyward at third base. Unfortunately, the throw went awry, allowing Heyward to trot home and knot up the game at 3-all. Since assuming the Padres' closing gig on July 18, Benoit has mostly fended off all comers, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks while recording eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings. The strikeout rate is in line with his mark on the season (10.52 K/9), and the Padres' recent winnings ways should result in an uptick in saves, as long as he converts them when placed at his doorstep.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees are interested in Joaquin Benoit.

The Yankees' bullpen has been a strength this season, but they could opt to just load up on relief help if they can't get another addition to their rotation. Benoit is also drawing interest from the Dodgers, but the Padres are reluctant to trade within the division and aren't sure they want to deal Benoit at all. The reliever is under contract for $8 million next season and has an $8 million vesting option for 2016.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers are interested in Joaquin Benoit, but the Padres "would prefer not to trade him within division, if they trade him at all."

It's a little silly, given that San Diego is unlikely to contend before Benoit's contract expires. The 37-year-old has taken over as closer for the Padres following the trade of Huston Street and is under contract for $8 million next season and has an $8 million vesting option for 2016.

Benoit struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to pick up his third save of the year.

The only baserunner Benoit allowed was Daniel Descalso, whom he hit with a pitch with one out, but he'd follow that up by getting Matt Carpenter to pop out to short and Kolten Wong to whiff. With the trade deadline on Thursday, Benoit figures to be a popular name among available relievers. On the year, the 34-year-old reliever has a 1.88 ERA and 0.84 WHIP along with a 51:13 K:BB over 43 innings.

Joaquin Benoit pitched a scoreless ninth in a 3-1 game for his third save Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Benoit was perfect outside of plunking Daniel Descalso. That exhale you heard was San Diego's front office, which is reportedly shopping Benoit. With a 4.91 ERA in July and six walks over his last four appearances, shopping was making that task a little more difficult for them. Benoit is one of the best relievers on the market. He boasts a 1.88 ERA and 0.84 WHIP.

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish hears from a major league source that there is "still a good chance" that the Padres deal Joaquin Benoit before Thursday's trade deadline.

The Padres have already traded Huston Street this month, but they could also move Benoit if the right offer comes along. The Tigers are likely out as a possibility after the Joakim Soria deal, but teams like the Pirates and Indians could be in the mix. Benoit is owed $8 million next season while his contract includes an $8 million vesting option or $1.5 million buyout for 2016, so the Padres have no sense of urgency to move him. Dale Thayer could take over the closer role if Benoit ends up elsewhere.

Joaquin Benoit notched a four-out save Friday against the Braves.

It was his second save of the season and his first since taking over the closer role from Huston Street, who was traded to the Angels last week. Benoit owns a quality 1.93 ERA and 49/13 K/BB ratio over 42 innings this season and is capable of being a valuable fantasy closer the rest of the way. Of course, that's assuming he doesn't end up in a set-up role elsewhere in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Tigers, Indians and Pirates are among the most ardent pursuers of Padres right-handed reliever Joaquin Benoit.

The newly-minted closer for the Padres could be viewed as either a closer, or a setup man by the teams looking to acquire him, and his fantasy value is intimately tied to whichever role he lands in. After the Huston Street trade, the Padres are in a good position and don't have to deal Benoit if they aren't enamored with the potential return package.

Joaquin Benoit took a loss Friday in his first appearance after the Huston Street trade.

Benoit gave up a run after entering a tie game in the top of the ninth. He also gave up three runs in his next to last appearance prior to the break after going almost two months without being scored upon. Hopefully, it's just a couple of blips for the Padres' new closer. He's worth owning in all formats.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Padres are "letting teams know" that Joaquin Benoit is available and the Tigers are among the clubs that are "quite interested."

Benoit, of course, spent the previous three seasons with the Tigers before inking a two-year, $15.5 million contract with the Padres last winter. He's still owed roughly $12.5 million of that when you include a buyout of his 2016 option, which is a sum the Tigers weren't interested in paying over the offseason. However, they've had their issues in the bullpen and might consider Benoit now. The 36-year-old boasts a 1.30 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 39/7 K/BB ratio over 34 2/3 relief innings for the Padres this season.

With Huston Street getting the day off, Joaquin Benoit pitched a perfect ninth for his first save Saturday against the Giants.

Benoit allowed two runs in his second appearance of the year, but he's given up just one hit over six scoreless innings in his other six outings. He should be one of baseball's top setup men for fantasy purposes this year.

Joaquin Benoit had another outstanding Cactus League performance against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, fanning all three hitters that he faced.

The 36-year-old has now tossed four scoreless innings this spring, allowing just two hits and posting a terrific 8/0 K/BB ratio. With the oft-injured Huston Street being the only barrier between Benoit and save chances in San Diego, he makes for a nice option for those speculating for saves in the later rounds.

Joaquin Benoit struck out two in his only inning of work against the Rangers on Thursday.

Benoit will be setting up for Huston Street. However, considering Street's injury history in recent years, Benoit could still find himself in a few save opportunities.

Padres signed RHP Joaquin Benoit to a two-year, $15.5 million contract.

The deal also includes an $8 million vesting option for 2016 if he finishes 55 games during the 2015 season. The 36-year-old right-hander excelled as the Tigers closer during the 2013 season and should join Huston Street to form a formidable duo at the back of the Padres bullpen.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Padres and free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit have agreed on contract terms.

The deal is awaiting a physical. We'll soon find out if the terms match the two-year, $14 million offer Passan reported that San Diego offered last week (CBS' Jon Heyman reported Wednesday morning that the pact is actually worth $15 million over two years). This move evaporates just about all of Benoit's mixed league fantasy value, but he does become one of MLB's best eighth-inning pitchers (again) and a highly-intriguing reliever for NL-only owners to consider in the latter stages of their drafts. Remember that closer Huston Street is about as brittle as they come and San Diego's spacious Petco Park is a nice thematic fit. Benoit collected a 2.01 ERA and 73/22 K/BB ratio over 67 innings as Detroit's closer in 2013.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that talks are "heating up" between the Padres and free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reported earlier this month that both San Diego and Cleveland had offered Benoit identical two-year, $14 million contracts. Benoit could have closed if he'd accepted the Indians' agreement before that team moved on to John Axford, but it's hard to argue with taking the same amount of money to set the table for somebody else (Huston Street) and live in San Diego. This moves really hurts Benoit's mixed league fantasy value, but he's good enough to retain NL-only relevancy. The veteran reliever put up a 2.01 ERA and 73/22 K/BB ratio over 67 innings with the Tigers in 2013.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro indicated Sunday during an interview with MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM, that he expects to sign a closer soon.

The Tribe is known to have an outstanding offer on the table to Joaquin Benoit, and have expressed interest in John Axford, Grant Balfour and Fernando Rodney as well. Indians skipper Terry Francona has made it clear that he would like a veteran presence with closing experience at the back of his bullpen, with Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw remaining in their familiar setup roles.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Padres are the "front runner" over the Indians to sign Joaquin Benoit.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports has reported that both teams have offered a two-year, $14 million deal. Benoit would seem to have a better chance of closing with the Indians than the Padres, but he must just like the San Diego weather better. The veteran reliever put up a 2.01 ERA and 73/22 K/BB ratio over 67 innings with the Tigers in 2013.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Padres and Indians are in on Joaquin Benoit.

Both teams are offering two years and $14 million, though Passan hears from a Padres source that the club might be willing to add a third year option. That would be a lot of money for a set-up man, but San Diego's closer Huston Street doesn't have the best health record.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Padres are making a "strong push" to sign free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit.

It's an odd fit, as the Padres already have a closer with Huston Street and Benoit is looking for closer money ($7-10 million per season) in free agency. The 36-year-old is drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Indians, Cubs, Mariners and Yankees.