Armando Benitez agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Florida Marlins late last night, a move that prompted the team not to offer a deal to its former closer Braden Looper.

Benitez had 21 saves last season for the Mets before being traded to the Yankees in July. The Yankees dealt him to Seattle three weeks later.

The signing is contingent on Benitez's passing a physical, the Marlins spokesman Steve Copses said.

The right-handed Benitez was the Mets' closer since 1999, saving 160 games in 185 chances and representing them on this year's All-Star team. He blew 6 of...