Mets get a jump on trade deadline

The New York Mets made two big moves a day before baseball's trade deadline, getting pitchers Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano on Friday, while other contenders angled for the likes of Randy Johnson, Larry Walker and Steve Finley.

"It's kind of a relief just to get it over with. It's been a tough day," Benson said after Pittsburgh sent him to the Mets. "If there was a team I'd be excited to go to, it would be them."

Los Angeles seemed poise to make a couple of moves before Saturday's 3 p.m. deadline for deals without waivers. Catcher Charles Johnson and pitcher Brad Penny could be headed to the Dodgers, and catcher Paul Lo Duca might wind up in Florida.

Finley could go from Arizona to a West Coast club, although the main focus on the Diamondbacks involved Johnson.

The Yankees desperately want the Big Unit, but did not seem to have the right package of prospects to get him -- and Arizona did not appear inclined to trade him to New York. Anaheim, Los Angeles and maybe even San Francisco also are interested in the five-time Cy Young winner.

With trade talk picking up, Johnson pitched -- and lost --Friday night for last-place Arizona at Colorado.

"I'm sure it's on his mind," Diamondbacks manager Al Pedrique said. "He's had some conversations with his agent and the front office of the Diamondbacks.

"He and I discussed it on the flight," he said. "I hope it is too late. I told the trainers not to answer the phones."

With closer Billy Wagner on the disabled list, Philadelphia bolstered its bullpen by acquiring two relievers: Felix Rodriguez from San Francisco and Todd Jones from Cincinnati. The Phillies sent outfielder Ricky Ledee to the Giants, giving them a left-handed hitter to help Barry Bonds.

Utilityman and pinch-hitter Dave Hansen rejoined the San Diego Padres, who got him from Seattle for minor league pitcher Jon Huber.

The Marlins were looking to add a hitter or two, and it could be Lo Duca or Juan Encarnacion from the Dodgers or Walker from the Rockies. If the Marlins and Dodgers do make a trade, pitcher Brad Penny could get sent to Los Angeles.

Among other names in the mix were Texas DH Brad Fullmer -- possibly to San Diego -- Philadelphia infielder Placido Polanco and Detroit closer Ugueth Urbina, who attracted interest from Oakland and San Francisco.

"There are so many irons in the fire," Tampa Bay general manager Chuck LaMar said. "I think the hold up, honestly, has been there's so much discussion on three- and four- and maybe even more team trades. More than I can ever remember.

"Whether they come down or not by 4 o'clock tomorrow, those are the discussions that are going on," LaMar said. "I think you'll see a lot of movement tomorrow."

LaMar helped get the trade season in full swing by sending Zambrano and minor league pitcher Bartolome Fortunato to the Mets for their best pitching prospect -- Scott Kazmir -- and minor league pitcher Jose Diaz.

For Benson, eligible for free agency after this season, and minor league infielder Jeff Keppinger, the Mets traded infielder Ty Wigginton, highly touted minor league pitcher Matt Peterson and infielder Jose Bautista to the Pirates. The Mets got Bautista earlier in the day from Kansas City for minor league catcher Justin Huber.

"We're getting younger and transforming our roster that a year ago or two years ago was one of the oldest in baseball," Mets general manager Jim Duquette said. "Both of these pitchers are 29 years old, they still have a lot of mileage ahead of them, pitching-wise."

The Mets, led by starters Al Leiter, Tom Glavine and Steve Trachsel, entered the day trailing the Braves by six games in the NL East. New York, which started a weekend series in Atlanta, also are in the wild-card race.

"In my new home, they're waiting for me," Zambrano said before the Devil Rays hosted Toronto. "I'm just going to go and do my 200 percent I can do there. I'll be happy to go there."

"All I can say, I appreciate the opportunity that they gave me. I'm just waiting to get to New York," he said.

Zambrano, who turns 29 next week, is 9-7 with a 4.43 ERA. The right-hander also is 10-1 lifetime in interleague play, having pitched well against NL teams.

Kazmir was the Mets' first-round pick in the 2002 draft, and was pitching at Double-A Binghamton. He has struck out 259 batters in 203 1-3 innings during his minor league career.

Benson, 29, is 8-8 with a 4.22 ERA. The top pick in the 1996 draft has had injury problems, but the Mets hope he can give them a late push.

Last year, the hours leading up to the deadline were busy. There were six trades, including one that sent future AL championship series star Aaron Boone from Cincinnati to the Yankees.

Sidney Ponson, Jeff Suppan and Robin Ventura also switched places last July 31. There were a few deals that came later, before the Aug. 31 deadline to set postseason rosters, with pitcher Sterling Hitchcock going from the Yankees to St. Louis.

Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa said that once again, more deals might occur in the next month.

"I think you'll see a lot of action after the deadline," he said before the Phillies played at Wrigley Field. "I don't think the 31st is a drop-dead day."