SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Armando Benitez expects nothing less than to be San Francisco's closer this season -- as long as he's healthy.

The Giants want to evaluate him this spring before handing him back his old job.

Benitez finished last season on the 60-day disabled list with two arthritic knees, the right one so painful he could hardly put pressure on it.

The Giants ended his season Sept. 14 with the hopes he would be ready come spring training, and the 34-year-old Benitez says he feels as healthy as he has in two years after a winter of rehabilitation in Miami and his native Dominican Republic.

He even threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, when the Giants' pitchers and catchers reported to spring training a day before their first workout. It was only his third time throwing off the mound since last season.

"Yes, this is the best (I've felt)," he said. "The last couple of years, I really couldn't do my job. I tried to push myself and hurt myself. I was trying to come back too soon and I've been looking ridiculous in games."

So bad that he was booed almost every time he pitched in the Giants' waterfront ballpark. Benitez doesn't blame the fans.

"If I pay for a ticket and don't see my guy doing his job, I'm mad at him," Benitez said.

The Giants explored the idea of trading Benitez this winter and the Florida Marlins were one of the interested teams. San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean said the club is still hearing from teams inquiring about Benitez.

Yet shedding his contract will be a tough task. Benitez is scheduled to make $7.6 million in 2007 in the final season of his $21.5 million, three-year deal.

If he isn't the closer, Sabean doesn't see Benitez fitting into another bullpen spot.

"It helps that he's turned the page on last year. Until he gets on the mound, that's the proof in the pudding," Sabean said. "He's going to have to hopefully be ready right at the start and be in position to be of value. To hear that he seems better off, in a better place mentally and more so physically, that's a good sign. That's a good first step."

Brian Wilson is the other candidate for ninth-inning duty.

Benitez was examined in September by 49ers doctor Michael Dillingham, who has experience with arthritis cases. Dillingham recommended rehabilitation rather than an operation to clean up the joint.

Benitez, a two-time All-Star who ranks seventh among active closers with 280 career saves, went 4-2 with a 3.52 ERA and 17 saves in 25 opportunities last season, his 13th in the majors. He is signed through this year after agreeing to a $21.5 million, three-year contract in November 2004.

"Everybody expects Armando Benitez to do his job: 1-2-3," Benitez said. "Whatever they want, I'll do it, wherever I have to go. Right now, I'm focused on my job."

The Giants acquired him to stabilize the club's closer role that had been in flux since Robb Nen got injured during the team's 2002 World Series season.

"He looks good. He seems very upbeat," new manager Bruce Bochy said. "This is a new year for him. If he feels good, he should be optimistic he'll be the pitcher he was a couple of years ago."