New York gets Adkins, Johnson in exchange

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

NAPLES, Fla. -- The Mets have traded left-hander Royce Ring and right-hander Heath Bell to the Padres for outfielder Ben Johnson and right-hander Jon Adkins.

The Mets like the athleticism of Johnson, 25, who batted .250 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in limited duty for the Padres last season. His acquisition adds depth to New York's outfield and should allow them to keep prospect Lastings Milledge in the minor leagues in 2007. Adkins, 29, made 55 relief appearances last season, posting a 3.98 ERA and striking out 30 batters in 54 1/3 innings.

Ring, 25, spent most of 2006 in Class AAA, where he struck out 40 batters in 39 1/3 innings. He pitched only 12 2 /3 innings in the majors. The 29-year-old Bell pitched out of the Mets' bullpen last year, posting a 5.11 ERA in 37 innings with 35 strikeouts and 11 walks.