XM Homeplate just confirmed the Mets traded Brian Bannister to the Royals for Ambiorix Burgos.

I like this move from the Mets perspective. Burgos is a killer talent. I'd have liked it if the Sox got him.

I like this move from the Royals perspective too. Burgos is going to be hitting arbitration before that team really has a shot at competing, so why not try to set yourself up so that you have a better shot a few years from now, same as they did with MMac.

You won't win selling off year in year out. The Marlins have gotten lucky but its nearly impossible to consistently do it. When you got talent like Burgos and you want to win you start doing what you can to negotiate long term deals early (like the Indians and other middle market clubs do).

Sizemore, Lee, Peralta, Hafner, Martinez... Not relievers. I think the Royals did well, here. They need a rotation before anything else, and they're stockpiling young arms for a run with Gordon and Shealy in the lineup. Not a bad strategy.