http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spbenson0...ports-headlines<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mets trade Benson to OriolesBY JON HEYMANSTAFF WRITERJanuary 21, 2006, 1:21 PM ESTThe Mets have agreed to trade Kris Benson to the Orioles for reliever Jorge Julio and righthanded pitching prospect John Maine, Newsday has learned.The Benson-for-Julio swap, which was discussed months ago, was revived early in the week and agreed to late Friday night.The Mets discussed trading Benson for much of the winter. This deal enables them to give Aaron Heilman an opportunity to win the No. 5 slot in the starting rotation. Heilman, whose stock soared last year, had requested a trade if he wasn't made a starter.Mets general manager Omar Minaya is said to like Julio's power arm. Julio, who's been clocked as high as 99 mph and reminds some of Armando Benitez, saved 83 games from 2002-04. However, his value fell after being hit hard last year after his demotion from closer to set-up man. Julio, who turns 27 in March, was 3-5 with a 5.90 ERA. Overall he is 11-24 with a 4.20 ERA.Maine, 24, gives the Mets yet another hard thrower. Maine was 2-3 with a 6.30 ERA for the Orioles last year. In 40 innings, he allowed 39 hits while walking 24 and striking out 24.Benson, 31, was 10-8 with a 4.13 ERA in 2005 after re-signing with the Mets for $22.5 million over three years. Benson is talented but has been perceived as underachieving since the Pirates made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft.The deal is a two-for-two trade for the Mets in a way in that Benson's wife Anna had become a colorful, constant presence around the Mets.Heilman was 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA for Licey, D.R. in winter ball. He asked the Mets to trade him if he weren't made a starter.Newsday exclusively reported the teams were back in serious discussions about the Benson-for-Julio trade in Saturday's editions.</div>_____________________________Good move for the Mets, accomplished a salary dump and managed to get something in return for Benson, who always seems to fall apart in the second half of the season.This move should fill out our bullpen nicely, and we can either keep Heilman in the rotation or make another big splash such as a Barry Zito.
Yeah, the Mets are still missing a good hitter. No, Piazza and Beltran don't count. They need someone like Manny, which I hope the Sox won't give up. They could make the playoffs though.
I think your underestimating Floyd, Wright, Beltran, Delgado there....the Mets hitting shouldnt be a problem, especially with Milledge likely to come in at midseason. My concerns with the Mets is the starting pitching, Yeah we have Pedro and Glavine, but outside of there worries me come october.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Jan 21 2006, 10:24 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Boring trade. I think the O's slightly win.</div> You said it, what a beat trade man.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ortiz34 @ Jan 21 2006, 07:17 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, the Mets are still missing a good hitter. No, Piazza and Beltran don't count. They need someone like Manny, which I hope the Sox won't give up. They could make the playoffs though.</div> They have Delgado and Lo Duca.
