Burnitz Headed West
July 16, 2003
The Mets on Monday traded slugging outfielder Jeromy Burnitz to Los Angeles for three minor leaguers, including AA 2b Victor Diaz, who has won two straight minor league batting titles.
Burnitz was hitting .274, 18, 45 this year, more impressive considering he both missed a month and had a horrid year last year, hitting .215, 19, 54.
Los Angeles needed a power hitting outfielder with the loss of Brian Jordan for the year and the injury to power hitting 1b, Fred McGriff.
Jeff Duncan may take over regular duties in RF.
The Mets may also trade Armando Benitez to the Yankees for three prospects. Benitez would fill the role of hard throwing righty set-up man for the Yankees. Wherever Benitez goes, he will most likely become a set-up man. Teams are wary of his history of choking in big games as a closer, but most do not realize he did the same thing with Baltimore as a set-up man. I'd drop him now, if you haven't done so already.
