Giants Trade for Mesa and Carter

Jose Mesa, the troubled reliever who could not close out Game 7 of last year’s World Series for the Cleveland Indians, was traded to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Steve Reed in a five-player deal Thursday night.

The American League Central-leading Indians also sent infielder Shawon Dunston and pitcher Al Morman to the Giants, contending for the National League wild-card spot. Cleveland also got outfielder Jacob Cruz, one of the Giants’ top prospects.

In another trade late Thursday night, the Giants obtained veteran outfielder Joe Carter from the Baltimore Orioles for minor league right-hander Darin Blood.

Carter, 38, was batting .247 with 11 homers and 34 RBIs while splitting time between designated hitter and the outfield. He goes from one wild-card contender to another. He joins his sixth major league team in a career that began in 1983 with the Chicago Cubs.

Blood, 23, was 4-5 with a 4.66 earned-run average at triple-A Fresno of the Pacific Coast League.

Earlier in the day, the Indians acquired reliever Doug Jones--their career saves leader--from Milwaukee for pitcher Eric Plunk.

Mesa, whose 1997 season began in court answering rape charges, had a chance to give the Indians their first World Series championship since 1948 last season. He relieved with a one-run lead in the ninth inning of Game 7, but allowed Florida to tie the score. The Marlins went on to win in the 11th inning.

Mesa, 32, was 3-4 with one save and a 5.17 ERA in 44 games. He was a setup man to Mike Jackson, the Indians’ current closer.

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Outfielder J.D. Drew of the double-A Arkansas Travelers twisted his right knee warming up before Wednesday night’s Texas League game against the San Antonio Missions and probably will be out of the lineup until July 30. . . . The Giants put catcher Brian Johnson on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken right thumb and called up catcher Doug Mirabelli from triple-A Fresno.