Signing Butler Overjoys Mets : Baseball: Former Dodger center fielder ponders retirement, then agrees to $2-million, one-year contract.

The word sprouted Tuesday afternoon at St. Lucie County Stadium, starting in the outfield, spreading to the infield, and by the time it reached the clubhouse, the New York Mets were absolutely delirious.

You’d have thought they had just signed Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux and Ken Griffey, immediately pronouncing themselves contenders in the powerful National League East.

While the Dodgers allowed center fielder Brett Butler to go, nonchalantly shrugging at the possible effect, the Mets were acting as if they had discovered the missing piece to a championship season.

The Mets acquired one of the game’s premier leadoff hitters by first persuading Butler that he shouldn’t retire and then signing him to a one-year, $2-million contract.

“I think unquestionably that Brett Butler is worth this type of investment,” Met co-owner Nelson Doubleday said. “The way he is in the locker room, on the field, as a leadoff man, how he fits into our team, the fact that he puts fans in the seats and that he’s definitely an All-Star center fielder definitely make it worth what he had to do.

“If there’s any player who perfectly fit all the things we want in New York, it was this guy.”

Just how badly did the Mets want Butler?

In the last three days, Butler received personal calls from co-owner Fred Wilpon, Manager Dallas Green, starter Bret Saberhagen and reliever John Franco.

“No question,” Butler said, “that they made me feel like I was wanted.”

Said Saberhagen: “I think we got him for the blue light special, but we don’t care. If we don’t win the pennant now, we can all blame it on him.”

Before anyone gets carried away, remember this is still the same team that was 55-58 last year, and lost 103 games in 1993.

Butler batted .317 last season, tied for sixth in the league with a .411 on-base percentage, was tied for the team lead with 27 stolen bases, and reached base in 100 of his 108 starts.

“He’s the quintessential leadoff hitter,” said Met executive vice president Joe McIlvaine. “No one does a better job of starting off a game than he does. Brett’s a present-day Richie Ashburn.”

The Mets became interested in Butler last weekend when they determined that center fielder Carl Everett was not ready for the big leagues. The move was accelerated when Everett got into a fight with first baseman David Segui, one of the Mets’ most popular players.

The next step was ensuring that Butler was offered enough money not to retire. After the Dodgers told him two weeks ago that his one-year, $3.5-million offer no longer existed, Butler didn’t have an offer until Monday. The Mets, Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox each made offers, but Butler said he would just as soon retire than play for a salary that he deemed inappropriate.

“I got to be at a point,” Butler said, “where I was fed up with what was going on. I said, ‘OK, I’ve got a number I’m going to play for, and if there’s a number less out there, I’m going to retire. I’m financially secure.’ ”

It appeared that magic number would be $2 million--a $1.5 million pay cut. The Mets made the $2-million offer at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Butler quickly discussed the options with his wife, Eveline, and then told the Mets he’d take it. He is scheduled to arrive in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and begin workouts today.

“Brett Butler has proven that he’s a superb National League player,” Green said, “he fits our team like a glove. He fills the void that we have, and have had.

“A winning team has to have the right kind of veteran leadership, especially a rebuilding club like us. He will lead in the clubhouse. He will be a terrific mentor for our young players.”