Zito Could've Been A Met......

With Pedro Martinez done for at least eight months and yesterday's injury to Orlando Hernandez, wouldn't another starting pitcher come in handy for the New York Mets right about now?

The Mets could have traded for Oakland Athletics left-hander Barry Zito in July, according to multiple major league sources, in return for top outfield prospect Lastings Milledge and perhaps one mid-level pitching prospect. The Mets turned down the deal, in part because Zito is a pending free agent.

Now, while Zito, still with the A's, was beating Johan Santana and the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday in Game 1 of an ALDS, the Mets are trying to dig up enough warm bodies to send to the mound in the first round.