Hershiser Gets One-Year Deal With Mets

Orel Hershiser got a new contract with the New York Mets, a chance to reach the postseason, and more.

The 40-year-old right-hander, who went to spring training with Cleveland, agreed Thursday with the Mets on a one-year, 2-million contract that gives him the chance to earn $500,000 more in performance bonuses.

“I think all of the contenders had a chance, but the other criteria came into play,” Hershiser said during a news conference in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

“I knew the chance to win and to win in New York--people say the greatest city in the world--was an opportunity that I wanted to have,” he said. “I enjoy the pressure, I enjoy the spotlight and I enjoy the competition. I don’t want to go off to some city where it’s ho-hum, let’s go watch the game; I want go someplace where we’re going to get after it, and that’s what New York is all about.”

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Bartolo Colon, who has been seeking a multiyear deal with the Indians for the last two seasons, agreed to a four-year, $9.25-million contract with a club option for 2003 that could make the deal worth $15 million over five years. . . . The New York Yankees signed journeyman pitcher Tony Fossas to a minor league contract, giving the World Series champions a second left-handed option in the bullpen. . . . Philadelphia Phillie catcher Tom Prince, a former Dodger, tore ligaments in his left wrist and will be out six to eight weeks. . . . The Cincinnati Reds traded backup outfielder Jon Nunnally to the Boston Red Sox and third-string catcher Brook Fordyce to the Chicago White Sox for minor leaguers. . . . A 35-year-old man fell about 20 feet after he tumbled over a railing trying to catch a promotional T-shirt that had been shot into the stands between innings of the game at Phoenix between Oakland and the Chicago White Sox. He was treated by paramedics and then taken to the hospital. His condition wasn’t immediately known. . . . In a turnaround, Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard said the provincial government may help the Montreal Expos by providing up to $5.3 million a year to cover interest on a $66-million loan to be used for stadium construction. . . . Reliever Mark Wohlers, whose career was threatened last year because of control problems, pitched two scoreless innings for the Atlanta Braves in a 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Of his 26 pitches, 17 were strikes.