Mets Trade Brian Stokes For Gary Matthews Jr.

Latest Update 12:00 PM: Jon Morosi of Fox Sports as well as WFAN is reporting that reliever Brian Stokes is the player going to the Angels to complete the Gary Matthews Jr. deal.

It’s a good move and gives the Mets a strong backup to Angel Pagan who will start while Beltran is out. It also keeps F-Mart in the minors, where he belongs.

The best part is that the Mets are paying Matthews about $2 million over two years, or $1.0 MM annually. You can’t argue with that.

Latest Update 11:10 AM: There’s speculation that a third team could be involved like the Reds and the Angel Pagan may be involved somehow in a trade for Bronson Arroyo. This is all speculation at this point and comes from Baseball Digest on Twitter.

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According to a recent tweet from Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Mets are on the verge of acquiring outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. from the Angels.

Matthews, 35, has hit just .248 since signing a five-year, $50 million contract with the Angels in 2007.

Heyman believes the Angels will pay most of the $24 million due to Matthews during the next two seasons.

Hmm…

I assumed this could involve current Mets second baseman Luis Castillo, but now I hear that he is not involved in the deal.

Heyman also says Beltran will return in late April, but that the Mets are worried.

Details to follow…