Thu, Jan 27, 2005 at 7:00pm

METS GET MIENTKIEWICZ

The New York Mets acquired first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and cash from the Boston Red Sox for first baseman Ian Bladergroen.

What does it give the New York Mets
Mientkiewicz doesn't give the Mets exactly what they wanted -- they wanted Carlos Delgado -- but he does fill their gaping hole at first base. How well he'll do that remains to be seen. He's hit .300 in the past, but he's also hit .229, and he rarely hits for much power. The good news is nothing gets by him at first base, so, defensively, they'll be rock solid at that corner.

What does it give the Boston Red Sox
The Sox's main priority in this deal was simply to make room for Kevin Millar to play every day at first base by moving Mientkiewicz. For their trouble they landed a kid who could be their first baseman of the future in Bladergroen. The big left-handed slugger hit .342 while averaging more than an RBI per game for Low-A Capital City last year.

Fantasy impact