MarqSox
12-11-2001, 10:40 AM
BOSTON -- All-Star second baseman Roberto Alomar was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the New York Mets on Tuesday as part of an eight-player deal.
New York sent Cleveland outfielder Matt Lawton, outfield prospect Alex Escobar, pitcher Jerrod Riggan and two players to be named -- one is believed to be minor-league pitcher Billy Traber, the Mets' No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft -- for Alomar, pitcher Mike Bacsik and outfielder-first baseman Danny Peoples.
The first big deal of the winter meetings was completed by Mets general manager Steve Phillips and new Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro between midnight and 12:30 a.m.
"I think I'll need a flak jacket when I get off the plane, probably," Shapiro said, recognizing the deal will not be popular back in Cleveland. "Anytime you trade away a Hall of Fame-caliber talent, it's something you don't do lightly."
It was the second major move in four days for the Mets, who dealt third baseman Robin Ventura to the Yankees last Friday for outfielder David Justice. It means New York most likely will move Edgardo Alfonzo from second base to third next season.
After winning the NL pennant in 2000, the Mets failed to make the playoffs this year, finishing with the fewest runs and lowest batting average in the major leagues and the second-fewest homers in the NL.
"To get Alomar, we had to give up talent like this," Phillips said. "It was hard to give that up. In this situation, we thought it was something worth the price."
The 33-year-old Alomar, who played three seasons in Cleveland, is a 12-time All-Star who hit a team-high .336 this year with 20 homers, 100 RBI and 30 steals.
The deal created payroll flexibility for the Indians. Cleveland owner Larry Dolan told Shapiro to trim $15 million off last season's $91 million payroll.
Alomar, a 10-time Gold Glove who has also played for San Diego, Toronto and Baltimore, gets $8 million next season and his contract contains an $8 million team option for 2003. The Indians also had been exploring a deal for shortstop Omar Vizquel.
Lawton, 30, was acquired by the Mets from Minnesota for pitcher Rick Reed last July and hit .246 for New York with three homers, 13 RBI and 10 steals. He batted .297 for the Twins with 10 homers, 51 RBI and 19 steals.
"He gives us a multitude of ways to score runs," Shapiro said.
Escobar, 23, was among the most prized prospects in the Mets' farm system but struggled when he was called up to the majors this year, hitting .200 with three homers and eight RBI in 50 at-bats.
Riggan, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 3-3 with a 3.40 ERA in 35 relief appearances for New York.
Bacsik, 24, was the Indians' minor league pitcher of the year in 2001. He went 13-6 with a 3.03 ERA in minor league games and appeared in three games for Cleveland.
Peoples, 26, had 17 homers and 48 RBI for Triple-A Buffalo.
One other player in the deal was not immediately identified.
Alomar's departure leaves a hole at second base for the Indians. John McDonald or Jolbert Cabrera could be used there or the club may have another deal in mind.
New York sent Cleveland outfielder Matt Lawton, outfield prospect Alex Escobar, pitcher Jerrod Riggan and two players to be named -- one is believed to be minor-league pitcher Billy Traber, the Mets' No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft -- for Alomar, pitcher Mike Bacsik and outfielder-first baseman Danny Peoples.
The first big deal of the winter meetings was completed by Mets general manager Steve Phillips and new Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro between midnight and 12:30 a.m.
"I think I'll need a flak jacket when I get off the plane, probably," Shapiro said, recognizing the deal will not be popular back in Cleveland. "Anytime you trade away a Hall of Fame-caliber talent, it's something you don't do lightly."
It was the second major move in four days for the Mets, who dealt third baseman Robin Ventura to the Yankees last Friday for outfielder David Justice. It means New York most likely will move Edgardo Alfonzo from second base to third next season.
After winning the NL pennant in 2000, the Mets failed to make the playoffs this year, finishing with the fewest runs and lowest batting average in the major leagues and the second-fewest homers in the NL.
"To get Alomar, we had to give up talent like this," Phillips said. "It was hard to give that up. In this situation, we thought it was something worth the price."
The 33-year-old Alomar, who played three seasons in Cleveland, is a 12-time All-Star who hit a team-high .336 this year with 20 homers, 100 RBI and 30 steals.
The deal created payroll flexibility for the Indians. Cleveland owner Larry Dolan told Shapiro to trim $15 million off last season's $91 million payroll.
Alomar, a 10-time Gold Glove who has also played for San Diego, Toronto and Baltimore, gets $8 million next season and his contract contains an $8 million team option for 2003. The Indians also had been exploring a deal for shortstop Omar Vizquel.
Lawton, 30, was acquired by the Mets from Minnesota for pitcher Rick Reed last July and hit .246 for New York with three homers, 13 RBI and 10 steals. He batted .297 for the Twins with 10 homers, 51 RBI and 19 steals.
"He gives us a multitude of ways to score runs," Shapiro said.
Escobar, 23, was among the most prized prospects in the Mets' farm system but struggled when he was called up to the majors this year, hitting .200 with three homers and eight RBI in 50 at-bats.
Riggan, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 3-3 with a 3.40 ERA in 35 relief appearances for New York.
Bacsik, 24, was the Indians' minor league pitcher of the year in 2001. He went 13-6 with a 3.03 ERA in minor league games and appeared in three games for Cleveland.
Peoples, 26, had 17 homers and 48 RBI for Triple-A Buffalo.
One other player in the deal was not immediately identified.
Alomar's departure leaves a hole at second base for the Indians. John McDonald or Jolbert Cabrera could be used there or the club may have another deal in mind.