Mets near deal for Lo Duca

[Providence A's]

http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/58276.htm

December 4, 2005 -- The Mets are believed to be close to a deal in which they would send a minor-league prospect to the Marlins for catcher Paul Lo Duca, according to a major-league source.
The identity of the Met prospect was not immediately known — but it's hard to envision it being Lastings Milledge, the jewel of their minor-league system.

Getting Lo Duca would give the Mets a starting catcher and continue their extremely aggressive offseason so far. They have already added star free-agent closer Billy Wagner and slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado, the latter coming in a trade with the fire...

[Providence A's]

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NAS...2005&fext=.jsp

Lo Duca, a three-time All-Star catcher, was dealt to the Mets for Minor League pitcher Gaby Hernandez, a Miami native, and another prospect.

A league official confirmed the trade to MLB.com early Sunday night.

The Marlins part ways with Lo Duca two days after they traded three-time All-Star second baseman Luis Castillo to the Twins.

"I figured when they traded Josh Beckett, that this might happen," Lo Duca said in a conversation Sunday afternoon, a few hours before the deal was completed.