THE SIDELINES : Mets, Orioles Swap 4 Players

The New York Mets today traded pitcher John Mitchell and outfielder Joaquin Contreras to the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder Keith Hughes and right-hander Cesar Mejia.

Mitchell, a 26-year-old left-hander, was acquired by the Mets from Boston in 1986 along with Bob Ojeda. In 27 career games for the Mets, he was 3-8 with a 4.08 ERA. Contreras hit .287 in 127 games for Class AAA Tidewater. He had eight homers and 43 RBIs.

Hughes, 23, has a .218 lifetime average in 82 games with the New York Yankees, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Mejia was originally signed by Toronto as a free agent in August, 1984. He pitched in Class AA Hagerstown and Rochester last season.