Benson trade

Full details:

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.

Story here. Keppinger is the high batting-average singles hitter from Altoona. He was 24 in AA.

First reaction: let's see what Wigginton does in the black and gold before we get too depressed or excited.

Also: the big surprise is getting the Mets to burn Huber to get Bautista back. Littlefield admits a mistake and pays a price to undo it. He exposes himself to even more criticism about last year's Rule V draft. I kinda respect that. In the meantime, a lot of people are going to call Bautista getting "nothing" for Huber, who is a highly-regarded catching prospect.

And: Bucs trade pitcher, add two position players. Someone has to come off the 40-man roster somehow, and the Pirates have to make room among the position players for Wigginton and Bautista, who is going to stick around.

And: Mac said Wigginton will play first and third, and not cut into Mackowiak's playing time.