Conine to Mets

Jeff Conine has been traded to the New York Mets for two minor league players.

Jorge Cantu was called up to take Conine's spot.

Conine's thoughts? "First place. I get to go back into first place and a pennant race. As an athlete and baseball player, that's what you strive to do -- win."

The Reds got shortstop Jose Castro and outfielder Sean Henry in the deal. Both were playing for St. Lucie on the Florida State League. Both will report to Double-A Chattanooga. Castro, 20, was hitting .318 with two home runs and 25 RBI. Henry, 22, was hitting .293 with a 11 home runs and 57 RBI. Both are small -- Castro is 5-8, 160 pounds; Henry 5-10, 154 pounds.

Cantu, like Conine, is a right-handed hitter. In 24 games since the Reds got him from Tampa Bay, he's .309 with 2 HR and 13 RBI. "He's been an RBI machine down there," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "Reports this week have been outstanding."

Conine is no stranger to late trades.

“This is third time in August,” he said. “This is third time into a pennant race. The first time was World Series victory. It would be nice to repeat that.”

Conine still plans to retire after the season.

“I think this is it,” he said. “I can’t think of a better way to go out than to do in the playoffs in New York. I kind of made of my mind it's time to call it quits. You always want to go out on a winning note. Fortunately, I’m going into a winning situation.”

Conine was a faviorite of the other players in the clubhouse. His very dry wit brighten up a lot of days.

“(I'll remember) a lot of good things,” he said. “This game is not about just bats and balls and games played. It's about people too. There's a lot of good people in here that I’ll miss.”

Conine is very familiar with the Mets.

“Heck, I played with half the team just about,” he said. “It's the Florida Marlins northeast division.”