Benitez Bronx-bound

Report: Mets to send troubled closer to Yankees

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The New York Mets apparently are on the verge of sending embattled closer Armando Benitez across town to the New York Yankees.

Several New York-area newspapers reported Wednesday that Benitez will be sent to the Yankees for a deal involving right-hander Jason Anderson and minor leaguers.

The New York Daily News reported that a tentative deal has been reached and that the trade is awaiting only the approval of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and the end of baseball's All-Star Game embargo.

Benitez, 30, was the Mets' lone representative on the National League All-Star team and Commissioner Bud Selig ordered both sides not to make any announcement that would take away the spotlight from Tuesday's game in Chicago.

Newsday reported that the Yankees are amenable to sending right-hander Anderson plus Class A right-hander Anderson Garcia and a third prospect to the Mets.

The Yankees are expected to pay $2 million of the $2.8 million left on the contract of Benitez, who is a free agent after the season.

Benitez is the third Mets pitcher to save at least 30 games for three straight years, but he has struggled in big games, including some against the Yankees. He blew Game One of the 2000 World Series and had one of his worst meltdowns two weeks ago against the Yankees, when he walked the bases full before walking in the tying run. Benitez is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA with 21 saves in 28 chances this season. His most recent blown save came Sunday against Philadelphia in the final game before the All-Star break.

The trade would continue the overhaul of the Mets, who are in last place in the National League East with a 40-53 record. The Mets unloaded second baseman Roberto Alomar to the Chicago White Sox earlier this month and sent outfielder Jeromy Burnitz to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday for minor leaguers.

The acquisition of Benitez would end the Yankees' season-long search for a set-up man for closer Mariano Rivera.

Benitez also is remembered in the Bronx for drilling Tino Martinez with a pitch in the back during a 1998 game at Yankee Stadium that sparked a benches-clearing incident. Then with the Baltimore Orioles, Benitez was retaliating after Bernie Williams hit a three-run homer.

 

Related information

Stories

Yanks in 'serious' talks with Mets about Benitez

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video

© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP