So, in addition to getting El Duque, which will probably turn out ok, the Mets pulled this off today:
The Mets acquired
left-hander Dave Williams from the Reds in exchange for Class A
right-hander Robert Manuel.
In eight starts with Cincinnati this
season, Williams, 27, was 2-3 with a 7.20 ERA. In 40 innings, he
allowed 54 hits, 34 runs, 32 earned, with 16 walks and 16 strikeouts.
Manuel, 22, was signed as a non-drafted free agent June 17, 2005. He
went 8-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 12 games (five starts) for the Gulf Coast
League Mets (low Class A) in 2005. In 56 2/3 innings, he allowed 55
hits, 19 runs, 13 earned, with four walks and 49 strikeouts. Manuel
tied for the GCL lead in wins, was second in ERA, and fourth in
strikeouts. Robert also appeared in two contests for the Brooklyn
Cyclones (low Class) of the N.Y.-Penn League, going 0-0 with a 1.80
ERA. He pitched 5 innings in two relief appearances, permitting five
hits, one earned run, with five strikeouts.
So we gained five years and five times the suckiness. Great.