BOSTON — An old-fashioned blockbuster brought baseball's winter meetings to life Tuesday, with the New York Mets acquiring second baseman Roberto Alomar from Cleveland in an eight-player trade.

        While there was just one trade and no free agent signings in the first two days of the five-day session, activity intensified Tuesday, with four deals involving 19 players and the first free agent agreement at the meetings — a $9 million, three-year contract between pitcher Jay Powell and Texas.

        Alomar, also involved in the big Joe Carter trade at the 1990 winter meetings, was by far the most prominent player dealt. The 12-time All-Star was sent to New York with left-hander Mike Bacsik and outfielder Danny Peoples for outfielders Matt Lawton and Alex Escobar, right-hander Jerrod Riggan and two players to be named.

        One of the players to be named is lefty Billy Traber, New York's first-round pick in 2000, according to a team official who spoke on condition he not be identified.

        “Even as late as midafternoon yesterday, I thought it was a long shot,” Mets general manager Steve Phillips said.

        Cleveland, which has won six of the last seven AL Central titles, is looking to retool and wanted to get younger.

        “I know this trade won't be immediately embraced,” new general manager Mark Shapiro said after making his first deal. “I think I'll need a flak jacket when I get off the plane, probably.”

        It was the second major move in the last week for the Mets, who dealt third baseman Robin Ventura to the Yankees on Friday for outfielder David Justice.

        Alomar, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, will join with shortstop Rey Ordonez to form one of the most acrobatic middle-infield duos.

        “He's probably one of the top 10 ballplayers in the game,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “That's a great deal for the Mets. I'd rather see him in the other league.”

        After winning the NL pennant in 2000, the Mets went 82-80 this year, finishing with the fewest runs and lowest batting average in the majors and the second-fewest homers in the NL.

        The 33-year-old Alomar, who played three seasons in Cleveland, hit a team-high .336 this year with 20 homers, 100 RBI and 30 steals.

        Alomar, who also has played for San Diego, Toronto and Baltimore, gets $8 million next season and his contract contains an $8 million team option for 2003.

        Lawton, 30, was acquired by the Mets from Minnesota for pitcher Rick Reed in July. He combined to hit .277, with 13 homers and 64 RBI last season.

        “He's a line-drive hitter. He hits singles and doubles and can hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. “He'll make a significant impact on our ballclub.”

        Escobar, 23, was among the most prized prospects in the Mets' farm system, but he struggled last season, striking out 146 times in 397 at-bats at Triple-A Norfolk.

        There were rumors of more big trades being discussed, with little talk of high-priced free agents such as Barry Bonds, Juan Gonzalez and Chan Ho Park.

        “There seem to be a number of three-way deals going on,” Phillips said. “It seems like there's far more action on the trade front than normal.”

        In other trades Tuesday:

        • Seattle dealt right-hander and former Red Brett Tomko, catcher Tom Lampkin, shortstop Ramon Vazquez and cash to San Diego for catcher Ben Davis, shortstop Alex Arias and right-hander Wascar Serrano.

        • Florida gave left-hander Jesus Sanchez to the Chicago Cubs for minor-league left-hander Nate Teut.

        CONTRACTION:

        Players and owners failed Tuesday to finalize an agreement that would delay eliminating teams until at least 2003, and the meetings were scheduled to resume after an overnight break.

        The union's grievance to block contraction remained on hold. The hearing was to have resumed Tuesday before Shyam Das, but the arbitrator was kept waiting until late afternoon, when talks were put off until today.

        YANKEES:

        Jason Giambi's contract with the New York Yankees moved closer to completion Tuesday when the first baseman took a physical for the team in Tampa, Fla.

        Also Tuesday, in a deal that was finalized, the Yankees received a signed copy of manager Joe Torre's three-year contract extension, which he mailed to the team.

        SIGNINGS:

        Two players eligible for salary arbitration agreed to contracts with their teams. Closer Keith Foulke got a $10 million, two-year contract from the Chicago White Sox, and catcher Raul Casanova received an $850,000, one-year deal from Milwaukee.

        DH AWARD:

        Seattle's Edgar Martinez was voted the top designated hitter in the American League for the second straight year and fifth time overall Tuesday. He received 72 of 76 first-place votes in balloting by reporters, broadcasters and team public relations directors.

Young traded to Detroit SULLIVAN: A move that helps only the payroll Reds, Young swap parting compliments New double plays in N.Y.: Alomar to Ordonez

Justin Smith on the rise
Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Another December dive has Jets 0-2 in month
Redskins put Battaglia on active roster
NFL notebook
Logan hopes to steal one back
Crosstown Shootout notebook
Miami extends Hoeppner's pact
Miami hockey to play in Silverado Shootout
Bellisari back as OSU captain
Crouch, Grossman top 2001 AP All-America team
Top 25 roundup
Cyclones lose fourth straight
NBA roundup
NHL roundup
2001-02 Bowls at a glance
Coming up this week
Another unbeaten year shaping up for Warriors
Pioneers' Brock scores 33 in win
Warriors too much for Mason
Boys basketball roundup
Girls basketball roundup

• Return to Reds front page...