The Benson Deal

Jordan Brickman at Shea Baseball writes a good article on the Kris Benson deal and all the other ones that made a deal possible to get two good starters out of one that's average:

After a mediocre 2005, Benson and his loud-mouthed wife was dealt to Baltimore for reliever Jorge Julio and starter John Maine. Julio struggled briefly and after a lot of work with Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson he revitalized his season, and is now having a nice season. Julio was dealt to the Diamondbacks for Orlando Hernandez, who continues to pitch brilliantly for the Mets. "El Duque" will likely be the team's third or fourth starter in the playoffs.

John Maine, the forgotten piece of the Benson deal to Baltimore, is on quite a role as of late and he has secured the fifth slot in the rotation for at least another few weeks, if not the rest of the season. Maine has not only secured a spot in the rotation, but Kris Benson is on the disabled list, so Maine is not only pitching better but he is healthier right now. Maine may even be in the playoff rotation, and he could be a huge factor in a possible championship at Shea.