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Our Favorite Site Gets One Right

Mostly right, anyway.

Yesterday, MLBtraderumors posted a Kris-Benson-to-the-Orioles rumor.

Today, it happened, though not quite as our favorite site postulated. He said:

Benson would be dealt to the O's for young players of Billy Beane's choice.

Somehow, I doubt that Jorge Julio, one of the players the Mets acquired, is someone Beane wants. But, the Mets also got one of Baltimore's top pitching prospects, John Maine -- and that'd be a guy Beane would probably love to get his hands on.

Why is this important to us as Cubs fans?

Because it's supposed to be a prelude to the Mets acquiring Barry Zito; this might include players such as Victor Diaz and Aaron Heilman, in addition to Maine.

The problem with that, according to Metsblog, is:

... that the only person who seems to see Heilman as a starter is Heilman. Nearly all scouts and experts that I talked with all explained the same thing: Heilman's repertoire is too hittable during his second time through a lineup.

So. Does this give the Cubs an entry? Could a deal including Felix Pie and Rich Hill bring Barry Zito to the North Side?

FWIW, I think the Mets just fleeced the Orioles. Kris Benson is a slightly-below-league-average pitcher who somehow conned the Mets into giving him a multiyear deal, and who is far better known for the antics of his wife.

Julio will help the Mets' bullpen, and Maine has at least a chance to be a good major league starter; pitching in Shea, if he makes the team, ought to help.

If I were Mets management, I'd pat myself on the back for a deal well done, and leave Barry Zito for the Cubs.

Or something like that.