Hidalgo/Weathers Swap Consumated, Your Author Nearly Passes Out



I'm not sure which part of the equation is more shocking -- that the Mets have acquired a right-fielder that might actually provide protection for Mike Piazza or Cliff Floyd, or that they've done so by parting with the thoroughly useless David Weathers. The only drawback is that the loss of Weathers will give this columnist so much less to moan about on a daily basis, I'll have to double up on John Franco just to compensate.

From Jose De Jesus of the Houston Chronicle :

"I'll miss this team," said (Richard) Hidalgo, who was the Astros' Most Valuable Player last year. "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."

Hidalgo, 28, lost his starting job in May, but the Mets have already told people close to him that they plan on playing him daily in right field. He is expected to bat in the middle of the Mets' lineup, possibly even in the cleanup spot while providing support for Mike Piazza and Cliff Floyd and taking a burden off slumping center fielder Mike Cameron.

Weathers will bolster the Astros' bullpen, which has struggled badly in middle relief this year.

"I know Richard will turn it around," said Peter Greenberg, who represents Hidalgo. "He needs a change of scenery."

The Astros will announce the trade later this afternoon.




Though it will take some doing for Hidalgo to top his 2000 numbers (44 home runs, 122 RBI's), he did hit .309 a year ago with 28 HR's and 88 runs knocked in, obviously a huge upgrade on Karim Garcia. An outfield of Floyd, Cameron and Hidalgo is a little closer to respectability, though it would help if the center fielder could hold a bat with two good hands.

Posted: Thu - June 17, 2004 at 02:08 PM      

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