Posted at 1:15 p.m., Friday, August 3, 2001

Mets ask waivers on Benny

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i's Benny Agbayani was placed on recallable waivers by the New York Mets, according to published reports.

According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the Mets requested waivers on outfielder Agbayani, first baseman Todd Zeile, third baseman Robin Ventura, second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo and pitcher Kevin Appier. Catcher Mike Piazza also is reported to be put on waivers.

The Mets have the option of rescinding the request if the player is claimed.

The report said if Agbayani is claimed, the Mets will likely ask the claiming team to make a trade offer.

The report said the Padres, who yesterday picked out outfielder Ray Lankford in a trade, are thought to be interested in Agbayani, whose contract is $260,000 for this season.

Agbayani, whose season was slowed by a left wrist injury in April, is batting .282 with five homers.

The former St. Louis School and Hawai'i Pacific University athlete captured the attention of fans last season with his playoff heroics.

He hit a game-winning homer in a 3-2 13-inning victory against the San Francisco Giants in the National League divisional series in Shea Stadium. He also drove in the winning run in the Mets' only victory against the New York Yankees in the World Series.

After the July 31 trading deadline, all players must clear waivers in order to be traded or claimed.

It is standard for teams to request waivers on all their players in August. There is a 48-hour period in which teams can place claims on waived players and a subsequent 48-hour period in which the team that requested the waivers either trades the player to the claiming team, pulls him back, or allows the claiming team to simply have them.