Report: Mets cross catcher off wish list, get Lo Duca

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 4, 2005, 10:25 pm

The wheeling-and-dealing New York Mets crossed another need off their 2006 wish list, acquiring All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins in exchange for two minor league pitchers, the New York Daily News reported on its Web site.

It would be the second deal between the Mets and Marlins this offseason, with Florida sending slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado to New York last month. The Mets also signed free-agent closer Billy Wagner, giving Mets general manager Omar Minaya a player at every postition he said was a priority.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2247973

I am good with this trade. Lo Duca is a solid catcher.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » December 4, 2005, 10:27 pm

Minaya really doesn't care about the future, does he?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 4, 2005, 10:46 pm

Double-edged sword. Minaya is under orders to win now, especially with the Mets network debut. He hasn't fucked anything up yet. Plus, LoDuca isn't that bad of a trade. If Lastings Milledge or Aaron Heilman were involved, then it would be bad.

I am guessing that Keppinger will be brought up and Minaya will work on a good reliever or two...namely, a lefty setup man. He can always platoon Nady and Diaz in right. Also, he still has some good bench support, despite losing Marlon Anderson.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » December 5, 2005, 12:49 am

Got to love the way those New York teams inflate salaries in baseball.....are they racing to beat the yankees to the 300 million mark per year?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 5, 2005, 5:09 am

They have worked it quite well, actually. They should be under the '04 mark as well.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » December 5, 2005, 5:34 am

Pedro 14
Delgado 13.5
Beltran 14
Wagner 10.5
Matsui 8
Benson 7.5 (remember when everyone thought this was an outrageous contract? now Burnett is going to get 10)
Glavine 6.5
Floyd 6.5
Lo Duca 6.25
Trackster 2.5
Zambrano 2.5

Now assume 14 players making league minimum for 5.6 per year. That comes to 97.35. Add in the extra money from the bench players that will be signed, the bullpen arms to be signed, etc..., and you're looking at $110 million+. Not totally out of line for what should be, on paper, a great offense. You better hope that Minaya gets some bullpen arms if he wants to win now.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 5, 2005, 12:50 pm

i'm sorry did you just compare Kris Benson to AJ Burnett?

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » December 5, 2005, 10:38 pm

Okay, so I hadn't actually looked at Benson's stats. I thought his ERA was a bit below 4.