Joaquin Benoit.jpg

Former Detroit Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit throws against the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning during Game 1 of the AL Championship Series.

(AP File Photo)

DETROIT -- Former Detroit Tigers reliever Joaquin Benoit likely won't open the 2014 season as a closer. But he'll certainly be paid like one.

Benoit has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Padres that will pay him a combined $15.5 million,

.

Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan

, which is currently pending a physical.

The 36-year-old right-hander essentially fills a hole in the back of San Diego's bullpen after the Padres traded Luke Gregerson to the Athletics in exchange for outfielder Seth Smith earlier this month.

For now, the Padres appear set at closer with veteran right-hander Huston Street set to return next season, but Benoit offers the Padres much-needed protection in the late innings.

There was speculation this winter that the Tigers might express interest in re-signing Benoit, but general manager Dave Dombrowski repeated several times this offseason that he didn't expect Benoit to return to Detroit in 2014.

"I don't see Joaquin coming back as a setup guy. No,"

. "I think somebody will sign him, by all indications, as a closer, so I don't see that as a fit for us."

Benoit was a key piece to the Tigers' bullpen after signing a three-year contract prior to the 2011 season. After serving as the team's primary setup man for two seasons, he stepped into the closer's role in 2013 and pitched well, converting 24 saves in 67 innings.

Benoit, who went 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA last season, was one of only seven relievers on the free-agent market this offseason who saved at least 21 games this past season.

He had reportedly drawn interest from several teams, including the Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians, who signed reliever John Axford to a one-year deal on Monday.

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