New York Mets: The wife of pitcher Kris Benson criticized the Mets for attempting to trade the right-hander in part because of her negotiations to pose nude for Playboy, the New York Daily News reported on its Web site on Monday.
"We would never, ever have signed with New York if they had said they were going to trade us," Anna Benson told the paper. "I was Miss [Politically Correct] for the Mets the entire time I was there.
"I have no deal with Playboy," she added.
Before the 2005 season began, the Mets signed Kris Benson to a three-year, $22.5 million deal after acquiring him from the Pirates in July 2004.
Oakland Athletics--Toronto Blue Jays: The Athletics acquired right-hander Chad Gaudin from the Blue Jays on Monday for a player to be
named.
The 22-year-old Gaudin was 9-8 with a 3.35 ERA in 23 starts for
Triple-A Syracuse last season, ranking fourth in the International
League in ERA. He struggled in a brief stint in the majors, going
1-3 with a 13.15 ERA in five appearances.
Gaudin made his major-league debut with Tampa Bay in 2003 at the
age of 20 and also pitched for the Devil Rays the following season.
He's 4-5 with a 5.46 ERA in 46 major league appearances, including
10 starts.
To clear a spot for Gaudin on the 40-man roster, the A's
designated catcher John Baker for assignment. Baker hit .234 with
five home runs and 41 RBI in 103 games for Triple-A Sacramento
last season.