PHOENIX – With last week’s acquisition of Matt Lawton adding to an already crowded outfield, Benny Agbayani said he thinks he could be traded during the waiver period.
“I wouldn’t be shocked,” Agbayani said before the Mets faced Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks last night.
Agbayani is doing his best to make it difficult for the Mets to deal him. Heading into last night’s game, he was 17-for-46 (.370) with seven RBIs in his past 14 games.
But with Lawton expected to receive regular time in right, there is just two spots for Agbayani, Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Jay Payton, Joe McEwing and Mark Johnson. Plus, Timo Perez and Alex Escobar are expected to be recalled next month.
Any trade the Mets make would require Agbayani to either clear or be picked off waivers.
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This month, every Met, including Mike Piazza, will be put on major-league waivers.
“It is standard operating procedure now that the trade deadline has past,” said assistant GM Jim Duquette, who couldn’t talk specifics, because that could result in a $250,000 fine.
There is no chance Piazza will be traded. If someone were to claim him, the Mets would simply pull him back and retain him. The waiver move is a no- lose proposition to keep options open.
Todd Zeile, Rey Ordonez and Robin Ventura will or have gone through waivers as well this month. If a team were to claim any of them, the Mets have three options: They could make a deal with that team, let their hefty salaries go, or pull back the player.
As for Piazza, he got a good laugh when informed about the hubbub regarding a published report that said he was put on waivers.
“Maybe I’m getting released,” said Piazza, who entered last night at .293 with 26 homers and 63 RBIs. “I’ve got to go home, clear my head and do a little soul-searching.”
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Bobby Valentine went to an all-right-handed-hitting lineup (except for Al Leiter) against Johnson. Big Unit slayer Joe McEwing played third.
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