Orioles obtain Benson from Mets in 2-for-1 deal

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles added much-needed experience to their starting rotation Saturday, acquiring right-hander Kris Benson from the New York Mets for right-handers Jorge Julio and John Maine.

Benson went 10-8 with a 4.13 ERA in 28 starts for New York last year. Despite spending all of April on the disabled list, he finished third on the Mets' staff in wins and starts.

"This gives us credibility in our starting rotation. We needed a veteran presence," Orioles first-year manager Sam Perlozzo said. "We don't need him to carry this staff; we just want him to pitch well. It's a great addition."

Perlozzo believes Benson has a decent shot of seizing the No. 1 spot in a rotation that tentatively includes Rodrigo Lopez, Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera and Bruce Chen.

The 31-year-old Benson spent parts of five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being traded to New York in July 2004. He missed the entire 2001 season after elbow ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow.

For his career, he is 57-61 with a 4.25 ERA in 165 starts.

"I was shocked when I heard about the trade this morning, but the more I thought about it, the more excited I got," Benson said. "I'm looking forward to helping out the rotation and doing everything I can to make this team a contender."

Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Benson's wife, Anna Benson, was not a factor in the trade. A model and an actress, she has posed topless and publicly discussed intimate details about their sex life.

"The Mets and their fans definitely got the raw end of the deal, and Kris is going to do amazing in Baltimore," she said in statement.

The Mets were looking to bolster their bullpen in front of new closer Billy Wagner. Julio had 83 saves from 2002 to 2004.