On the Mets beat

The Mets and Royals made the Brian Bannister-Ambiorix Burgos swap official with an impromptu news conference this morning. The two GMs didn't even stand at the podium -- KC's Dayton Moore held court just inside the media room while Omar Minaya addressed reporters in the hallway a few minutes later. Incredibly, this relatively minor swap was the first trade of the winter meetings.

Minaya said the two teams talked about a possible trade Tuesday morning and the deal was pretty much agreed upon by noon. Once again, Minaya stressed the need to stockpile young arms for the bullpen, and Burgos defintely fits that profile. Minaya said the Mets' scouting reports indicated that Burgos' fastball is in the 95-100 mph range, and occasionally cracks the century mark.

"He's young kid and we see upside," Minaya said. "He's a power arm and it's tough for me to pass on power arms."

Burgos had 18 saves last season for the Royals, but also suffered 12 blown chances, but Minaya suggested that's just part of the learning curve for a young pitcher. "He's 22 years old," Minaya said. "There are guys coming out of college that are 22."

Minaya also was asked about missing out on Julio Lugo, who passed on teh Mets to accept a four-year, $32-million with the Red Sox late Tuesday night.

"Julio wanted to come to New York and I've been after Julio for a while," Minaya said. "I would have liked to see Juio and Jose [Reyes] together, but I can understand. I'm very happy with [Jose] Valentin at second base. Julio would give us a different look, but I like the look of 20 home runs, too."

With Lugo landing in Boston, Minaya also declared the Mets have no plans to pursue another second baseman.

Below is the complete press release from the Mets on the Bannister-Burgos deal:

METS ACQUIRE AMBIORIX BURGOS

The New York Mets announced today that they have acquired righthanded pitcher Ambiorix Burgos in exchange for righthanded pitcher Brian Bannister.

Ambiorix, 22, spent the entire 2006 campaign in the majors with Kansas City. In 68 games, one start, he posted a 4-5 record with a 5.52 ERA and 18 saves. In 73.1 innings, he gave up 83 hits, 49 runs, 45 earned, with 37 walks and 72 strikeouts.

Burgos made his first big league start, September 30th at Detroit. He allowed one earned run over his last 8.2 innings (seven appearances). He was the Royals Pitcher of the Month for April and in 11 July games he allowed two earned runs (13.2 innings). The Royals were 35-33 in games that Ambiorix pitched.

The 6-3, 235-pound Burgos made his major league debut in 2005 with the Royals. He was 3-5 with a 3.98 ERA with two saves in 59 games. In 63.1 innings, he allowed 60 hits, 29 runs, 28 earned, with 31 walks and 65 strikeouts. Ambiorix has compiled 137 strikeouts over the last two seasons, most by any Royals relief pitcher.

The Nagua, Dominican Republic native was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent as a 16-year old on November 14, 2000.

Bannister, 25, began this season in the Mets starting rotation, making five starts in April before being placed on the Disabled List on April 28th with a strained right hamstring. Brian rejoined the Mets in August and finished the year 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in eight games, six starts. In 38.0 innings, he surrendered 34 hits, 18 runs, earned, with 22 walks and 19 strikeouts.