Mets Sign Robin Ventura

The New York Mets signed free agent third baseman Robin Ventura on Tuesday night, capping a wild day of dealing in which they finally settled their catching dilemma, shored up their bullpen and filled a big hole in their batting order.

The Mets outbid the Baltimore Orioles for Ventura, agreeing to a $32 million, four-year deal with the former White Sox third baseman, a source familiar with his negotiations told The Associated Press on condition he not be identified. The Mets would not confirm the signing, but an announcement was expected Wednesday.

"We are hopeful we have made a significant enough offer that shows our interest," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "We would like to have him in a Mets uniform. I'm hopeful."

Also Tuesday, the Mets sent Todd Hundley and a minor league pitcher to Los Angeles for catcher Charles Johnson and outfielder Roger Cedeno. They then traded Johnson to Baltimore for reliever Armando Benitez.

"It is a bittersweet day in Mets history with Todd Hundley leaving the organization," Phillips said. "We feel we've added in Armando Benitez one of the best power pitchers in the game, and somebody who will give us a completely different look in the bullpen."

Benitez gives the Mets added depth in their bullpen. He went 5-6 with a 3.82 ERA and 22 saves last season for Baltimore. His 100 mph fastball enabled him to register 87 strikeouts in 67 1-3 innings this season.

But he never quite showed the maturity necessary to handle the closer's role. His low point of last season, and his career, occurred May 19 when he struck Tino Martinez of the Yankees with a pitch after serving up a homer to Bernie Williams. Benitez was suspended for eight games as a result.

Convinced he couldn't handle the closer's role in 1999, the Orioles obtained free agent Mike Timlin last month. Benitez will be the right-handed setup man for closer John Franco. The Mets already have right-hander Turk Wendell and left-hander Dennis Cook as set-up men.

"This allows Benitez to be in the best role for this stage of his career," Phillips said. "With the strength of our bullpen, he will not be called upon to close regularly. The incidents he has had are part of the maturity process that will happen."

The 24-year-old Cedeno, a switch hitter long considered a top prospect, played in 105 games for the Dodgers last season and hit .242 with two homers and 17 RBIs. He will probably back up all three outfield positions.

"Cedeno has a tremendous upside," Phillips said. "He is a very talented athlete, who can cover a lot of territory and gives us a lot of versatility as we proceed for 1999."

Hundley became expendable after New York kept Mike Piazza with a $91 million, seven-year deal in October. Hundley struggled last season after returning from the disabled list in July following reconstructive surgery on his right lbow at the end of the 1997 season.

By the time he returned, he had already lost his job behind the plate to Piazza, who was acquired from Florida on May 22. The Mets failed in an attempt to convert Hundley to an outfielder, as he committed five errors in 34 starts in left field.

Hundley, a 29-year-old switch-hitter, hit just .161 with three homers, 12 RBIs and 55 strikeouts in 124 at-bats, limiting his trade value. Before the injury, Hundley was one of the most feared hitters in the league, setting a major league record for homers by a catcher in 1996, with 41.

Hundley also hit .259 and drove in 112 runs that year. He followed that up with 30 homers and 86 RBIs in 1997, when he was hampered by elbow problems.

The minor leaguer the Mets gave up was right-hander Arnold Gooch, 22, who was 11-14 with a 3.90 ERA last season for Double A Binghamton.

The signing of Ventura, apparently ends the Mets interest in outfielder B.J. Surhoff. Also, it means Edgardo Alfonzo will move to second base. Ventura hit .263 with 21 homers and 91 RBIs last season and would provide left-handed protection in the lineup for Piazza. He also won his fifth Gold Glove.

Phillips is expected to meet with free agent outfielder Rickey Henderson on Thursday. Henderson would give the Mets the leadoff hitter they have been seeking.

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