Seeking to improve their staff, both starting and relieving, the Mets are talking to Kansas City about a trade for hard-throwing reliever Ambiorix Burgos, 22, who was 4-5 with a 5.52 ERA last season in 73 1/3 innings. Manager Willie Randolph expressed confidence in his bullpen earlier today despite losing Chad Bradford, Roberto Hernandez and the uncertainty of Duaner Sanchez’s comeback from shoulder surgery.
GM Omar Minaya also spent a good part of the day talking to teams about a starting pitcher. The Mets have dealt with the Baltimore before, which is why their discussions for Rodrigo Lopez should be taken seriously.
8 Comments
Bannister?
BennyAyala …
That’s a name I hear.
If they get Burgos, is there any chance they’d flip him in another trade?
does it seem like it is going to happen? I personally would love to have him in the pen, 22, throws gas, and we would be trading from a strength to help a weakness, get younger and get more help in the pen if we do this trade, sign zito (if it can stay reasonable), and maybe add a lefty bat off the bench, our offseason would be complete
I like the idea of getting a strong young arm in the pen. Giving up Bannister is not that bad. Before he was hurt he was not exactly lights out. We have a surplus of young #3 #4 #5 type starters and we need help in the pen. Burgos,22 who I think was a closer over in KC would benfit in a different role out of the pen. I like it.
To Bryan …
If things work out the way the Mets plan, Bannister might not have made the rotation anyway. The Mets say they have nothing to announce tonight, but Minaya said he’s confident.
If nothing else, I like that Omar is getting younger arms with more upside in these minor pitching deals.
I like Bannister, but he doesn’t have great stuff, seems injury prone, and will be 26 when next season starts.
If Omar had confidence in Bannister, he would have been considered one of our starting picthing options in the playoffs when we lost both El Duque and Pedro.
To Anon …
Bannister wasn’t projected to be in next year’s rotation anyway. Maine and Perez are slotted ahead of him, and if they trade for somebody, he would’ve been left off the 25-man roster. Burgos has a better chance of helping the Mets in the short term.