Mets sign Trachsel, decline arbitration on Alfonzo

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets signed right-handed starter Steve Trachsel to a two-year contract but decided not to offer salary arbitration to infielder Edgardo Alfonzo -- ending his stay in New York.

Trachsel will earn $8 million over the next two years, $3 million next season and $5 million in 2004. There is also a vesting option for a third year at $5 million that will kick in if Trachsel pitches 360 combined innings, including 180 in 2004.

He was 22-24 in his first two years with the Mets, working 173 2/3 innings in each after he signed as a free agent before the 2001 season. Trachsel rejoins a rotation that is now led by Tom Glavine and consists of Al Leiter and Pedro Astacio.

Alfonzo's production dropped off dramatically the past two seasons after two strong years, with the Mets reaching the postseason in each. The 28-year-old player manned shortstop, second base and third base in 12 years in the Mets organization.

New York also declined to offer arbitration to right-handers Jeff D'Amico and Steve Reed, left-hander Mark Guthrie, and infielder John Valentin.

Glavine agreed to terms with the Mets on Thursday, leaving rival Atlanta for a three-year deal worth $35 million.

"We feel pleased we were able to get this done," general manager Steve Phillips said of the Trachsel signing. "We're in a pretty good position right now. I like our rotation. Glavine, Leiter Astacio and Trachsel is pretty strong."

Alfonzo has been with the Mets organization since being signed in 1991 at age 17.

"It's difficult not offering arbitration," Phillips said. "We just didn't think his value in the free-agent market was what the arbitration figure would be."

Phillips said the sides were never close to a deal as the Mets were offering a two-year contract worth $5.5 million per year, while Alfonzo was looking for $8.5 million annually.

"We're going to miss Edgardo Alfonzo," Phillips said. "He's made great strides here. It's disappointing to a certain degree since he grew up in this organization. Our preference would've been to keep him."

The Mets will explore options in both the free-agent and trade markets to replace Alfonzo. Phillips said neither avenue was more likely than the other.

"Our options at third base didn't make us think we should go on the book for arbitration," Phillips said.

David Bell agreed to a $17 million, four-year deal with Philadelphia and Robin Ventura agreed to a one-year contract worth $5 million to stay with the New York Yankees -- setting the market for third baseman.

Ventura, formerly of the Mets, took a $3.25 million paycut.

Alfonzo batted .304 with 27 homers and 108 RBI in 1999, when the Mets reached the NL Championship Series and lost to Atlanta. He hit three homers and drove in six runs in the division series victory over Arizona.

The following year, Alfonzo's average went up 20 points to .324 while his power numbers dropped to 25 homers and 94 RBI. He had one homer and 10 RBI in the postseason as the Mets reached the World Series.

A back injury limited Alfonzo to 124 games in 2001, and his numbers suffered, too. He hit only .243 with 17 homers and 49 RBI. Last season, he was hampered by a strained muscle in his side that landed him on the disabled list. In 135 games, he batted .308 with 16 homers and 56 RBI.

"Looking back we would've hoped that he would've kept performing at that level where 8.5 million would've made sense," Phillips said. "At this market and with our budget, it didn't."

Trachsel was 11-13 with a 4.46 ERA in 2001. His season got much better after an early-season demotion to the minor leagues. Last season he was 11-11 with a 3.37 ERA.

Phillips needed almost all the time before Saturday's midnight deadline to keep the 32-year-old pitcher.

"The last couple of weeks we got a little bit closer," Phillips said. "There were times it looked like it was going to fall apart and times it looked like it would get done. We were willing to stand in and try to make a deal."

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