DC Metro Sports - NATIONALS ACQUIRE SS ANDERSON HERNANDEZ FROM METS

The Washington Nationals today acquired shortstop Anderson Hernandez from the New York Mets in exchange for right-handed reliever Luis Ayala. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

The switch-hitting Hernandez—once ranked among the Mets’ top 10 prospects, Hernandez peaked at No. 8 entering the 2006 season according to industry-insider Baseball America—has swiped 166 bases at the minor-league level. Originally signed by Detroit in 2001, Hernandez rated as the best defensive infielder, and as owning the top infield arm, in the Tigers’ system two years later by Baseball America.

Last season, Hernandez earned the Mets’ Sterling Organizational Player of the Year award after hitting .301 with 28 doubles, five triples, five home runs, 42 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 128 games with New Orleans of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. His 167 hits in 2007 ranked second in the 16-team PCL.

In 2005, Hernandez was named Double-A Binghamton team MVP en route to hitting .315 with 35 stolen bases at the two highest levels within the Mets’ chain. The 25 year-old Hernandez has played in 35 games for New York (NL) the last three seasons, and was a member of the Mets’ Opening Day 25-man roster in 2006.

The 30 year-old Ayala has posted a 5.77 ERA in 62 games with the Nationals this season. He was the franchise’s longest-tenured player.

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