Opinion: Bannister, Burgos and Minaya
Yesterday in Detroit, Royals RHP Brian Bannister allowed no runs and two hits through seven innings while striking out four.
Mets GM Omar Minaya traded Banniser to Kansas City in December, 2006, in exchange for RHP Ambiorix Burgos, 
who has pitched in just 17 games for New York, and who will miss most of this season following Tommy John surgery.
In 27 starts for the Royals last season, Bannister was 12–9 with a 3.87 ERA, though he struggled in September going 1–2 in five starts with a 7.30 ERA.
In a post to Mets Today, Joe Janish writes that it may still be premature to fully evaluate the Bannister-for-Burgos deal.
…i have been sent a lot of e-mail in the last day whining that minaya traded away bannister and does not get enough flack for it, which i think is mostly heightened by the sudden need for a fifth starter…
…i’m not sure why some people operate with the idea that every trade will be a gem…bad trades happen…especially when scouts and executives put so much stock in ‘stuff,’ like they all do…
…yes, the Mets should regret trading bannister, just like they should regret trading Heath Bell, as they will both likely continue to be poor trades…
…at the same time, they should continue to believe in burgos, and Jason Vargas, while boasting about deals that brought in Duaner Sanchez (for Jae Seo), John Maine (for Kris Benson), Johan Santana (for four minor leaguers), and Xavier Nady (for Mike Cameron), who helped get Oliver Perez…
…again, bad trades happen, but good trades happen too…it’s all part of the game…you take the good with the bad and hope it all comes out in your favor in the end…
