The Mets worked out a blockbuster deal with the Baltimore Orioles, acquiring 25-year-old RF Tony Gwynn in exchange for RF Kirk Gibson and 23-year-old RHP Doug Drabek.
Gwynn will sliding into right for New York and give the Amazins another lethal bat in the lineup. We obviously upgrade at the position and there was no way to turn down a chance at landing Gwynn but giving up Drabek, who was projected to be in Queens next season, is a loss we were willing to absorb under the circumstances.
The deal comes on the heels of the Mets going 8-3 out of the All-Star break and building an 8 1/2-game cushion in the NL East. That margin has dwindled to six as we steer into the dog days of summer.
