The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mike Stanton will stay in New York after all, agreeing to a $9 million, three-year contract with the Mets on Monday.

Stanton, a left-handed stalwart in the Yankees' bullpen for six seasons, will move across town in the Mets' second free-agent signing of the offseason.

"This is where I wanted to be," Stanton said. "I'm happy we got it done."

Stanton will join former Atlanta Braves teammate Tom Glavine at Shea Stadium next season. Glavine signed a $35 million, three-year deal with the Mets earlier this month.

Stanton and Glavine have a history of success - they are the only two players to play in every postseason since 1991. That's important for the Mets, who finished in last place this year.

"He's a good fit," Mets GM Steve Phillips said about Stanton. "For us to get a guy who's been in the postseason so many years to go with Tom Glavine, who's been in the postseason so many years, it adds an attitude to the clubhouse that we feel was necessary."

The Yankees, the team Stanton helped to three World Series titles and four American League pennants, had given him only 15 minutes to accept a $4.6 million, two-year contract.

Stanton went 7-1 with a 3.00 ERA and six saves in 79 games last season and became an All-Star for the first time.

He has been one of the most durable relievers in the game, making a major league-high 669 appearances the past 10 years.

Stanton's 20 World Series appearances rank second in baseball history, two behind Whitey Ford, and his 1.54 ERA in the Series is fifth lowest of pitchers with at least 10 appearances.

BREWERS-BRAVES DEAL: Milwaukee acquired third baseman Wes Helms and left-handed pitcher John Foster from Atlanta in exchange for left-handed setup man Ray King.

Helms, 26, was the Braves' minor league player of the year in 2000. He batted .243 with six home runs and 22 RBI in 85 games for the Braves last season.

Helms has 17 homers and 60 RBI in 198 career major league games with Atlanta, where new Brewers manager Ned Yost was the third-base coach.

King, 28, was 3-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 76 relief appearances for Milwaukee. He struck out 50 batters in 65 innings. He will help restore a Braves bullpen that has lost lefties Mike Remlinger and Chris Hammond to free agency this offseason, in addition to Glavine.

PADRES: San Diego agreed to terms with free-agent second baseman Mark Loretta on a one-year, $1.25 million contract.

Loretta is a .293 career hitter with 31 home runs and 280 RBI in parts of eight major league seasons with Milwaukee and Houston. He batted .304 with four home runs and 27 RBI last season, when he was sent from the Brewers to the Astros on Aug. 31.

PIRATES: Left-hander Jimmy Anderson was released after Pittsburgh was unable to deal him.

The move came a day after the Pirates agreed with outfielder Matt Stairs on a one-year contract.

Anderson spent most of three seasons in Pittsburgh's rotation, going 5-11 in 2000, 9-17 in 2001 and 8-13 last season.