Yankees, Indians Get Stove Heated in Biggest Deals : Baseball: New York completes five-player deal for Tino Martinez. Cleveland signs five players.

On the busiest day of the off-season, the Cleveland Indians spent $20.6 million on five players and the New York Yankees spent $20.25 million on Tino Martinez to complete their five-man trade with Seattle.

Cleveland, which already has sold out all seats for next season, agreed to a $10.15-million, four-year contract with outfielder Manny Ramirez. The Indians signed first baseman Julio Franco for $5 million over two years, gave designated hitter Eddie Murray $2 million for 1996 and gave pitcher Orel Hershiser a $2.7-million extension for 1997. They also agreed to a $400,000 minor league contract with infielder Alvaro Espinoza.

Franco batted .306 last season for the Lotte Marines in Japan’s Pacific League and won a Gold Glove.

“Of all the clubs in baseball at this time we feel we are extremely fortunate to have such stability and continuity in our team,” Cleveland General Manager John Hart said. “Last year was very special and we want to continue that.”

Meanwhile, nine free agents were offered salary arbitration by their former teams as the midnight EST deadline approached: Toronto second baseman Roberto Alomar, Houston second baseman Craig Biggio, Florida outfielder Andre Dawson, Cincinnati outfielder Ron Gant, St. Louis reliever Tom Henke, Toronto pitcher Al Leiter, Kansas City pitcher Jeff Montgomery, Chicago Cub pitcher Jaime Navarro and Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers.

They have until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offers and may negotiate with their old clubs through Jan. 8. The 72 players not offered arbitration can’t sign with their old teams again until May 1. Other teams can sign them starting today without having to give up draft picks as compensation.

Among that group were shortstop Shawon Dunston, outfielder Rickey Henderson and catcher Benito Santiago.

New York’s deal with Seattle became final when Martinez agreed to the five-year contract. Martinez not only celebrated his 28th birthday Thursday but also the birth of his daughter, Victoria.

“My head is spinning,” Martinez said. “This is probably one of the greatest days of my life.”

Seattle sent reliever Jeff Nelson and minor league pitcher Jim Mecir to New York with Martinez for pitcher Sterling Hitchcock and third baseman Russ Davis. The Mariners, who last week dealt third baseman Mike Blowers to the Dodgers, couldn’t afford to keep Martinez, who earned $1 million this year and was eligible for arbitration.

“While all of us here wish we could keep the entire club intact, it is just not possible under the current economic system,” Seattle General Manager Woody Woodward said.

Martinez will take over from Don Mattingly, who told the Yankees to find another first baseman while he contemplates retirement. Martinez wore No. 23 with the Mariners, partly because of his admiration for Mattingly.

“I know I’m not going to ask for 23,” he said. “Out of respect to him and the greatness he’s done, I’m not going to wear his uniform number.”

Martinez batted .293 for Seattle last season with 31 homers and 111 RBIs, the best season of his career.

Among players finding new teams, outfielder Phil Plantier agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with Detroit, down from his $2.5 million, two-year deal that expired. Third baseman Chris Sabo returned to Cincinnati, agreeing to a minor league deal that would be worth $200,000 if he makes the big league team.

Pitcher Mark Gubicza, the last player left from the Royals’ 1985 World Series championship team, stayed with the Royals for $3.2 million over two years. Pitcher Tom Browning also re-signed, agreeing to a minor league contract worth $300,000 if he makes the team.

Pitcher Mike Morgan stayed with St. Louis for $1.25 million next year, down from his $12.5-million, four-year deal that expired. St. Louis also re-signed pitcher Jeff Parrett for $675,000, up from $300,000. Infielder Jose Oquendo, who completed an $8-million, four-year contract, got a minor league deal worth $250,000 if he makes the team.