The Atlanta Braves made another trade to bulk up their bullpen Friday night, acquiring reliever Danys Baez and infielder Willy Aybar from the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit.The deal was announced after the Braves’ 6-4 loss to New York, which left them 13 games behind the Mets in the NL East. Atlanta’s best hope for making its 15th straight playoff appearance is the wild card, and they are counting on Baez to provide a reliable set-up man for new closer Bob Wickman.
ESPN’s Buster Olney is claiming Oakland will send Barry Zito to the Mets if Lastings Milledge is part of the package the A’s receive in return. The other pieces of the package weren’t specified, but presumably their last names are either Pelfrey or Heilman.
Pelfrey can’t be dealt, he hasn’t been signed for a full season and there’s a stipulation that states he can’t be the ever-impressive “player to be named later.”
Either way, it’d be a good trade for the Mets…in the short term. Zito, Pedro and Glavine could neutralize some really good AL teams.
Sean,
you are correct, I should’ve remembered reading as much the other day…and also should’ve remember that this was one of the (little heard) arguments against calling up this season.
With apologies to Walter Monheit, here’s hoping Willy is ready to say “Ay, Ay!” to playing every day.