The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.
On January 22, 2010 — The Mets, in need of a center fielder until Carlos Beltran returns to the lineup in early May, deal 30 year-old right-handed reliever Brian Stokes (2-4, 3.97) to the Angels in exchange for the highly-paid, but under-achieving Gary Matthews Jr. (.250, 4, 50). Los Angeles agrees to pay a significant portion of the slumping outfielder’s $50 million five-year contract that ‘Little Sarge’ signed three seasons ago with the Angels.