In trading Kris Benson to the Orioles 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.
Mets GM Omar Minaya has held a long-time interest in Julio, a power-armed righty with closer’s experience. The Post first reported serious trade discussions in early December.
Julio will slot in with 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 move to the starting rotation.
Julio, 27, went 3-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 67 games last year with the Orioles. A source in Baltimore said Julio has regressed for a year and a half. He eventually 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.”
Heilman – with little more than one year of service time – surprisingly requested a trade this offseason if he wasn’t moved from the bullpen.
An insider cautioned Heilman isn’t being handed the No. 5 starting job, and that manager Willie Randolph and staff will best determine where Heilman can help the team. But the insider indicated that it’s Heilman’s job unless he stumbles or someone else looks much better this spring.
Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Steve Trachsel and Victor Zambrano fill out the rotation. Minaya was told Martinez is feeling great and is now throwing off a mound.
The GM mentioned recent signee Yusaku Iriki, Maine, prospect Brian Bannister and Alay Soler as other No. 5 starting candidates. The Mets have decent reports on Maine, 24, although he posted a 6.60 career ERA in 11 games in the bigs.
“Right now we have some pretty good numbers – probably more numbers than we had last year at this time,” Minaya said.
Benson actually flew into New York yesterday to be part of the Mets’ caravan that kicks off Tuesday.
When Benson played Santa Claus at the team’s Christmas party for grade-schoolers, his provocative wife, Anna, wore a low-cut red dress that many observers found highly inappropriate.
She was also once in discussions with Playboy, although Minaya insisted she had nothing to do with the trade. Now Orioles fans have cheesecake with their crab cakes.
“It was kind of a shock this morning when I first heard about it, I guess like anybody would,” Kris Benson admitted. “The more I thought about it, the more excited I get.
“I’m definitely disappointed to leave the Mets. Now it’s time to move on.”
Benson was due $7.5 million, while Julio is arbitration eligible. The O’s recently exchanged figures with him, submitting $2.3 million. His request was $2.8 million.
Minaya thinks big, but a team official said this isn’t part of a bigger strategy.
Jeff Weaver, Manny Ramirez and Barry Zito aren’t current options for the Mets, and Kaz Matsui isn’t close to being dealt.
A team official said the Mets aren’t close to signing free-agent outfielder Jeff DaVanon, and Minaya indicated he doesn’t want to trade Victor Diaz.
michael.morrissey@nypost.com
