Mets acquire Green from D'backs, also consider Alou

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

NEW YORK -- With an eye on October, the New York Mets acquired veteran outfielder Shawn Green from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

The Diamondbacks sent the 33-year-old Green and slightly more than $6.3 million to the Mets for Triple-A pitcher Evan MacLane, a 23-year-old left-hander.

Commissioner Bud Selig had to approve the trade since more than $1 million changed hands.

Interestingly enough, the Mets are so keen on upgrading their outfield that they remain interested in star outfielder Moises Alou. News of their recent trade talks with the San Francisco Giants regarding Alou were first reported on SI.com Tuesday.

Green is to make about $2 million for the rest of this year, $9.5 million in 2007 and has a $2 million buyout on his 2008 salary.

Green has a no-trade clause but he signed off on the deal late Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm definitely excited for the opportunity," Green said, speaking from San Francisco International Airport. "I really like the Mets' chances to go to the postseason and have a chance at the World Series."

Green, who waived his no-trade clause, was hitting .283 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs this season. The two-time All-Star once hit four homers in a game, and has four seasons of at least 100 RBIs. He expects to join the Mets as soon as Wednesday.

The Mets have been talking to the Diamondbacks for several days about Green and apparently had a monetary breakthrough Tuesday. The deal was first reported on MLB.com.

The Mets are still eyeing Alou, who really fits their needs better than Green in that he's right-handed, although the impending acquisition of Green may slightly lessen the chances for an Alou deal. Alou is actually more desirable in that his contract expires at year's end. Alou has a .522 slugging percentage; Green is slugging .429.

However, there's a potentially big impediment to an Alou deal in that the Giants still consider themselves buyers. Should they lose a few more games and fall further out of the race, that could change, however. The Giants are currently five games out in the National League West and five games out in the wild card. The Mets have been watching the Giants' progress closely the past several days.

Like Green, Alou has veto power over trades. It isn't known whether he'd accept a trade away from the Giants, who are managed by his father, Felipe. However, the Mets would represent a significant chance for Alou to get back to the World Series.

The Mets still like top prospect Lastings Milledge but they've realized in recent days that he isn't quite ready for prime time. Milledge struggles with breaking pitches and, although they have seen no serious problems, he occasionally confounds higher-ups with a flashy style. Milledge is hitting .238.

Veteran Cliff Floyd has been hurt by injuries this year, and has been out since Aug. 8, making the need for corner outfield help that much greater.

Alou, who turned 40 last month, is viewed as a clutch hitter who was a significant part of the Marlins' 1997 World Series championship and someone who's interested Mets GM Omar Minaya before. Alou's contract calls for him to make $6 million in 2006, with about $1.4 million remaining. He is also owed an additional $1.5 million, which had been deferred. It isn't believed the Mets would have to surrender significant pieces to acquire Alou, either.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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