Mets Acquire Chin-lung Hu From Dodgers For Michael Antonini

The Mets have acquired SS Chin-lung Hu from the Dodgers in exchange  for LHP Michael Antonini

The one time Dodgers top prospect now projects to be a utility infielder as his bat never came to match his solid glove.

Hu, 26, split last season between the Dodgers and Triple-A Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League.

The 5-foot-11, 188-pounder started the season with the Triple-A Isotopes before being recalled to the majors on June 17. The right-hand-hitting Hu returned to Triple-A on June 23, before he was called back to the Dodgers on September 6. He hit .317 (66-for-208) with four home runs and 25 RBIs for Albuquerque and .130 (3-for-23) for the Dodgers.

Originally signed as a free agent on Jan. 31, 2003 by the Dodgers, Hu made his major league debut in 2007. In 96 career games spread over four big league seasons, the native of Tainan City, Taiwan, has hit .191 (33-for-173) with two home runs and 17 RBIs.

Hu was added to the 40-man roster, which now has 39 spots filled.

Antonini, 25, made 29 combined starts at Triple-A Buffalo of the International League and Double-A Binghamton of the Eastern League last season. Antonini began 2010 with the B-Mets and went 6-9 with a 4.32 ERA (63 earned runs/131.1 innings) in 23 games, all starts. He made his first start for the Bisons on Aug. 9 and finished the season with the Triple-A club, pitching to a 5.11 ERA (21 earned runs/37.0 innings) and a 2-3 record in six games, all starts.

This could be insurance in case Justin Turner who is out of options, fails to make the team, or if the Mets end up sending back Rule 5 pick Brad Emaus. That said, Hu isn’t nearly as good offensively as those two, so this is kind of a head scratcher.