In trading Kris Benson to Baltimore for set-up man Jorge Julio and right-hander John Maine yesterday, the Mets again exchanged a surplus of starting pitching for more relief help.
Essentially, they’re moving their logjam to the back of the bullpen.
Yet Benson and his sexpot wife, Anna, suspected something else was at play – like maybe Anna’s high profile.
“It’s tough,” Kris Benson said during a husband-and-wife news conference in Midtown last night. “I would like to know the real reason.
“It’s not a cut-and-dry trade. I know that.”
Actually, Met GM Omar Minaya has a long-time interest in Julio, a power-armed righty with closer’s experience. Plus, the Mets are getting younger and shaving payroll.
Minaya insisted Anna’s antics had nothing to do with the deal. An insider added the Mets would’ve dealt Benson long ago if that were the case.
Still, when Kris Benson played Santa Claus at the team’s Christmas party for grade-schoolers last month, Anna wore a low-cut red dress that many observers found highly inappropriate.
She flaunted her wardrobe choice on her website, posting a photo caption beside a picture of the couple that read, “Got Milk, Mrs. Claus?”
“I had no problem with what she was wearing,” Benson said. “We were there having fun.”
Anna Benson also was once in discussions with Playboy.
Julio will join Duaner Sanchez (who was acquired from L.A. for starter Jae Seo) behind closer Billy Wagner. Who will pitch in the eighth inning is undetermined, though Aaron Heilman will probably become a starter.
Julio, 27, went 3-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 67 games last year. A Baltimore source said he’s regressed for a year-and-a-half, and he lost the closing job to B.J. Ryan.
“He does have a power arm,” Minaya said on a conference call. “It’s fair to say his command has been an issue. We’re hoping a change of scenery will get him back on track.”
Kris Benson flew into New York yesterday to be part of next week’s Met caravan. He was inadvertently informed of the trade by a reporter’s cell-phone message before Minaya could speak with him.
His initial reaction was more muted than last night’s.
“The more I thought about it, the more excited I get,” Benson said during a early-day conference call. “I’m definitely disappointed to leave the Mets. Now it’s time to move on.”
A few hours later, his comments were darker.
“I think betrayal is too stern a word,” Benson said. “They didn’t stick to what they told me.
“They told me that I would be part of their plans, and to turn around and get traded for what? At least trade me for Manny [Ramirez]. It wasn’t a salary dump, at least that’s what they said.”
Benson is due $7.5 million, while Julio is arbitration eligible. The O’s submitted a figure of $2.3M, while Julio’s request was $2.8M.
Surprisingly, Heilman requested a trade this offseason if he wasn’t moved from the bullpen. Yusaku Iriki, prospect Brian Bannister, Alay Soler and Maine are other starting candidates. The Mets have decent reports on Maine, 24, although he’s posted a 6.60 career ERA in 11 games.
As for other moves, Jeff Weaver, Ramirez and Barry Zito aren’t current options, and Kaz Matsui remains unmovable. A team official said signing outfielder Jeff DaVanon isn’t likely, and Minaya indicated he’s keeping Victor Diaz.
michael.morrissey@nypost.com
