Mets Sign Ordonez

The New York Mets avoided arbitration with Rey Ordonez, signing their shortstop to a $19 million, four-year contract Tuesday.

Ordonez, perhaps the top fielding shortstop in baseball, won his third consecutive Gold Glove last season and is the anchor of the Mets' record-setting infield with second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo and third baseman Robin Ventura.

The Mets made just 68 errors last season, 13 fewer than the previous low, set by the 1998 Baltimore Orioles. New York's infield had 33 errors, 12 fewer than the record set by the '64 Orioles.

"You build teams up the middle and certainly with Rey and Edgardo, we have as strong a combination as arguably any in the game," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "They have been an important part of our success and one we feel is part of the formula for success. Therefore we wanted to secure that for as long as we could."

Ordonez made just four errors last season, leading National League shortstops with a .994 fielding percentage. He ended the season with 100 straight errorless games, breaking Cal Ripken's major league record for shortstops.

Ordonez also had his best season at the plate, although he is still one of the weaker offensive players in the league. He set career highs in batting (.258), on-base percentage (.319), slugging percentage (.317), RBIs (60) and doubles (24).

In four seasons with the Mets, the Cuban defector is hitting .246 with four homers and 165 RBIs.

Ordonez, who was eligible for free agency after the 2001 season, got a $1 million signing bonus and will make $2 million this year, $3.75 million in 2001, $6 million in 2002 and $6.25 million in 2003.

"If we hadn't gotten to a threshold we were comfortable with, we would have waited to test the market," agent Adam Kate said. "We considered waiting, but Steve and the Mets organization were forthcoming and very generous. We thought the deal was equitable, so we agreed it was time to pull the trigger."

Ordonez, who made $1.675 million in 1999, asked for $3.5 million, while the Mets offered $2.5 million.

"I found out what free agency was when I left Cuba," said Ordonez, who defected in 1993 during the Pan American Games in Buffalo, N.Y. "I can't ask for too much. I came with nothing and now I have everything I've ever dreamed of."

Even with the new contract, Ordonez's future in New York could still depend on Seattle's Alex Rodriguez, who is eligible for free agency after next season.

The Mets have expressed interest in Rodriguez in the past and could trade Ordonez if Rodriguez became available.

"They've been talking about that ever since I've been on the team and it's never happened," Ordonez said. "I just hoped I can stay in New York."

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