Tribe Sends Jose Mesa To Giants

Jose Mesa, the troubled Cleveland reliever who could not close out Game 7 of last year's World Series, was traded by the Indians to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Steve Reed in a five-player deal Thursday night.

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Earlier in the day, the Indians acquired reliever Doug Jones -- their career saves leader -- from Milwaukee for pitcher Eric Plunk.

"Jose did some great things in the turnaround of this franchise," general manager John Hart said. "He saved some big games for us in some magical seasons. As much good as he did, Game 7 of the World Series just stuck with people. We just didn't see it happening for Jose here."

Mesa set a major league record with 46 saves in 48 chances in 1995 and was fourth in the AL MVP voting and second in the Cy Young race. His reliability was perhaps even more important to the Indians than Albert Belle's 50 homers and 52 doubles as they won their first pennant in 41 years.

But after a tumultuous year in which he was acquitted of rape charges, Mesa was handed a one-run lead in Game 7 against Florida last year -- Cleveland's best shot at its first Series title since 1948 -- and let the Marlins tie it. Florida won 4-3 in the 11th.

"I love Jose Mesa. I really do," said manager Mike Hargrove, loyal to the reliever all through his rape trial and momentous struggles on the mound"It's unfair that Jose will be remembered as the guy that didn't get the save in the seventh game of the World Series."

Crowded by reporters at his locker, Mesa wagged his finger like Dikembe Mutombo after blocking a basketball and said, "No comment," before walking out of the clubhouse.

"I hope it's going to work out for Jose," said his agent, Alan Nero. "He really needed a change of scenery. He didn't want to get his hopes up, but he hoped there might be a trade."

Mesa, 32, was 3-4 with one save and a 5.17 ERA in 44 games. He was pitching as a setup man to Mike Jackson, the Indians' current closer.

In 1995, Mesa led the majors with 46 saves and finished fourth in the AL MVP voting and second in the Cy Young race.

Mesa's ERA was 7.02 at Jacobs Field this season, and 2.18 on the road. The man who was cheered as soon as he stepped on the field only three years ago was being booed relentlessly.

"It was going to be very difficult for Jose to ever be a good pitcher in Jacobs Field again," Hargrove said.

Morman, 29, was 0-1 with a 5.32 ERA. Cleveland will likely call up lefty Ron Villone from Triple-A to Morman's spot in middle and matchup relief.

Dunston, 35, who previously played for the Giants, was hitting .237 with three homers and 12 RBIs as a backup infielder.

Reed, 32, was 2-1 with one save and a 1.48 ERA in 50 games. He held opponents to a .160 batting average.

Cruz, 25, was hitting .298 with 18 homers and 62 RBIs for Triple-A Fresno.

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