Hidalgo Traded

[YanksHater213]

In an effort to inject some juice into their lineup, the Mets have obtained outfielder Richard Hidalgo from the Astros in exchange for right-handed reliever David Weathers, according to a report Thursday morning on the New York Daily News Web site.

 

 

Later, the Houston Chronicle reported the trade on its WEb site and quoted Hidalgo, who signed with the Astros as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela in 1991 and was their MVP last season, as saying, "This team was like a family to me, but I'll try to help the Mets and show what I can do. All I can do is play hard for the Mets and show what I can do."

 

 

According to the Chronicle, the Mets have already told people close to Hidalgo that they plan on playing him daily in right field. He is expected to bat in the middle of the lineup, possibly cleanup while providing support for Mike Piazza and Cliff Floyd and taking a burden off slumping center fielder Mike Cameron.

 

 

It was expected that the trade would be announced later Thursday afternoon.

 

 

"I'll let [general manager] Gerry [Hunsicker] announce that in the afternoon," Astros owner Drayton McLane told the Chronicle.

 

 

Earlier, WFAN sports radio in New York reported that the Mets were denying it was a done deal and that talks were continuing.

 

 

Hidalgo, 28, hit 44 homers and drove in 122 runs as recently as 2000, but has fallen off since and is now a part-time player with a .256 average, four homers and 30 RBI in 199 at-bats.

 

 

Weathers, 34, has appeared in 32 games and is 5-3 record with a 4.28 ERA, but like Hidalgo had figured less and less lately in his team's plans.

 

 

According to the Daily News report, the Astros will send $4 million to the Mets to jettison Hidalgo, who is scheduled to make $12 million this season and $15 million in 2005, although the Mets seem certain to buy out that final year for $2 million. Weathers is making nearly $4 million this year, the final season of his contract.

[trot4mvp]

WOW...I genuinely can't believe the Mets took on Hidalgo's exorbitant contract!!! I had heard that they might have been in the running for the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes, but this takes them out of it until the end of the season. Weathers should help out in the 'stros bullpen...who will replace Hidalgo in right? or had he been on the bench anyway?

[elsrbueno]

The Astros have an outfielder by the name of Jason Lane who they plan on playing in Hidalgo's spot.

 

This takes the Mets out of the Beltran sweepstakes for the 2004 season, but they may make a splash in the offseason.

[trot4mvp]

That's exactly what I was thinking Bueno...I knew they had a rook waiting in the wings, just didn't remember his name. I honestly didn't think they'd be able to move him, but apparently they're giving the Mets $4M too, which helps.

[elsrbueno]

Hidalgo's always been a high-potential player. The Mets have GOT to believe they can turn him around, because that's the only motivation I can see for going out to get him.

[yeszir]

Originally posted by elsrbueno@Jun 18 2004, 08:53 AM

Hidalgo's always been a high-potential player. The Mets have GOT to believe they can turn him around, because that's the only motivation I can see for going out to get him.

The Mets never turn anyone around, unless they take a good player and turn him around and make him bad. Really, going to the mets must be the kiss of death for some players. Whatever they seem to do, the Mets can't win, even with that humungous payroll of theirs.

 

Isn't hidalgo the one who got shot last offseason?

[elsrbueno]

Isn't hidalgo the one who got shot last offseason?

 

Yes, I think he is. The thing I don't understand is: Why pick up a guy who will make $15 mil next year when Ordonez will no doubt sign for $15mil/less. Yes, they have an option to buy him out for $2 mil.

 

New York has got to consider themselves in contention, despite a