Nats send Schneider, Church to Mets for talented Milledge

WASHINGTON -- Catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church were traded to the New York Mets by the Washington Nationals on Friday in exchange for outfielder Lastings Milledge.

In Schneider, the Mets get the catcher they have been seeking this offseason. In Milledge, the Nationals pick up a talented young player they hope can be a part of their rebuilding project.

Schneider was given a lot of credit last season for holding a ragtag Nationals starting rotation together, but he struggled at the plate, batting .235 with six homers and 54 RBI.

Church hit .272 with 15 homers and 70 RBI, while tying for the team lead with 43 doubles.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya is familiar with both players from his time as GM of the Montreal Expos, the franchise that moved to Washington before the 2005 season.

Milledge hit .272 with seven homers and 29 RBI in 184 at-bats with the Mets in 2007.