Omar Minaya’s top priority was trading Kris Benson, and the Mets were moving closer to that goal yesterday with the Rangers after talks with the Royals broke down Tuesday night.
A baseball official with knowledge of the discussions said the most recent proposal involved sending Benson to the Rangers for outfielder Laynce Nix and righthander Juan Dominguez.
Ideally, Minaya would like to clear Benson’s salary in order to make other moves, with an eye toward acquiring the Athletics’ Zito or the Diamondbacks’ Javier Vazquez.
With Brian Giles and Juan Pierre no longer available, and Johnny Damon presumably priced beyond the means of a financially struggling franchise, the Daily News’ Sam Borden writes that Bernie Williams will be returning to the Yankees.