In a move that could give the Mets perhaps the finest 1-2 closing punch in the National League, GM Omar Minaya is working to finalize a trade that would bring Danys Baez from Tampa Bay to serve as the primary set-up man for Billy Wagner, The Post has learned.
The Mets have spoken regularly to the Devil Rays for weeks about both Baez and shortstop Julio Lugo, who the Mets would play at second base. But over the last few days, the Mets have narrowed their focus to Baez, who had more saves for Tampa last season (41) than Wagner did for Philadelphia (38).
The Devil Rays would receive a package in return that would be headed by either Jae Seo or Aaron Heilman.
The Mets prioritized fixing their late-inning bullpen this offseason. That process began by securing Wagner, the best reliever on the free-agent market. If the Mets had not obtained Wagner, Baez was near the top of their list to acquire to become their closer. So the Mets would consider it a coup to have Baez pitching in the eighth inning.
If they did not include Heilman in the trade – and they have been very resistant all offseason to move the young righty – the Mets would have a late-game trio of Heilman, Baez and Wagner that combined for a 2.17 ERA in 2005, allowing just 161 hits in 216 innings.
Baez, 28, has 96 saves over the past three seasons, the sixth most in the majors. Though he throws hard (in the 93-95 mph) and has a strong split, Baez is not an overpowering strikeout pitcher and he does fight wildness at times.
On the other hand, the Yankees will attest to Baez’s quality. Baez was 7-for-7 in save chances against the Yanks last year and in 11 games covering 12 innings, he did not permit an earned run.
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The Yankees officially announced the signing of Octavio Dotel to a one-year, $2 million contract that could be worth $5.25 million.
Dotel had Tommy John surgery last May and is unlikely to make the Yanks’ opening day roster. The Yanks envision him more as a pitcher they nurse along so that he can be a second-half factor, serving in unison with Kyle Farnsworth as a bridge to Mariano Rivera.
The Yanks also finalized a one-year, $1 million deal with Miguel Cairo pending a physical.