Contenders Revamp Rosters on a Frenzied Day of Trading

All-Stars Mike Bordick and Bob Wickman, along with Wil Cordero, Richie Sexson and David Segui, switched teams Friday as contenders revamped their rosters with baseball’s trade deadline approaching.

The Cleveland Indians were the busiest of all, swinging three deals. The New York Mets and Tampa Bay Devil Rays each made two.

“We have 2000 in mind and that’s what we’re going to work for in the next 72 hours,” Indian General Manager John Hart said between trades. “We’re calling teams and they’re calling us.”

The deadline for making trades without waivers is 1 p.m. PDT Monday.

There was talk that Texas Ranger closer John Wetteland, Montreal Expo outfielder Rondell White and Milwaukee Brewer outfielder Jeromy Burnitz soon might change teams too.

“See if we can’t make four or five more before the deadline,” Indian Manager Charlie Manuel said.

After a month in which Curt Schilling, Denny Neagle, Andy Ashby and David Justice switched clubs, there was a frenzy Friday.

The Indians, desperate for pitching, got Wickman for their bullpen and Steve Woodard and Jason Bere for their rotation from the Brewers. In return, the Brewers received the power-hitting Sexson, rookie pitchers Paul Rigdon and Kane Davis and a player to be named.

Cleveland later got Cordero, who left the Indians after last season and signed a $9-million, three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates got outfielder Alex Ramirez and infielder Enrique Wilson. Cordero was hitting .282 with 16 home runs and 51 runs batted in.

Still busy, the Indians then sent outfielder Ricky Ledee to the Rangers for Segui, who could play first base, outfield and designated hitter. Ledee joined the Indians last month in the deal that sent Justice to the New York Yankees.

“When you’re not established in the big leagues, it’s going to happen,” Ledee said.

The Mets, unable to convince Barry Larkin to join them last week, filled their shortstop hole by obtaining Bordick from the Baltimore Orioles for infielder-outfielder Melvin Mora and three minor leaguers--pitchers Lesli Brea and Pat Gorman and catcher-outfielder Mike Kinkade.

“I’m very excited with the opportunity to be in a playoff race,” Bordick said. “The Orioles are struggling this year and to be thrust into a playoff race is great.”

Hours later, the Mets acquired pitcher Rick White and outfielder Bubba Trammell from Tampa Bay for outfielder Jason Tyner and pitcher Paul Wilson.

“This is the time for us to make our move,” Met General Manager Steve Phillips said.

The Oakland Athletics bolstered their bullpen, getting Mecir and a minor leaguer from Tampa Bay for two minor leaguers. Mecir has been one of the most effective middle relievers in the American League this season, going 7-2 with one save and a 3.08 earned-run average.

Oakland also acquired triple-A pitcher Todd Belitz for pitcher Jesus Colome--one of the A’s top prospects--and a player to be named.

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Joe Borchard agreed to terms with the Chicago White Sox for a signing bonus that his financial advisor said is $5.3 million, a figure $2.3 million higher than any draft pick has received this year.

As part of the agreement, the former three-sport star from Camarillo High will not play football at Stanford this fall. He has been the backup quarterback for three seasons and probably would have been the starter.

“I’m obviously very excited to sign with the White Sox,” he said. “It’s tough to decide not to play football, but I came to the conclusion that this was best.”

The bonus is the largest minor-league contract in baseball history. Only a handful of major league contracts given to draft picks have been been worth more.

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Former UCLA second baseman Chris Utley, a first-round pick in last month’s draft, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for a $1.78-million bonus. Utley, the 15th overall pick, hit .342 with 53 homers and 174 RBIs in 179 games at UCLA. . . . The Yankees’ David Cone, who has lost a career-high eight consecutive decisions, will throw today and Monday at the team’s minor league camp in Tampa, Fla., under the supervision of Billy Connors, the Yankees’ vice president of player personnel, and others. . . . Phillie pitcher Paul Byrd needs an operation on his right shoulder and will probably be sidelined for the season.

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Trading Places

Trades announced Friday:

* New York Mets traded SS Melvin Mora (.260, 6 HR, 30 RBI), minor league C-OF Mike Kinkade and minor league RHPs Lesli Brea and Pat Gorman to the Baltimore Orioles for SS Mike Bordick (.297, 16 HR, 59 RBI).

* New York Mets traded minor league OF Jason Tyner and minor league RHP Paul Wilson to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for RHP Rick White (3-6, 2 saves, 3.41 ERA) and OF Bubba Trammell (.275, 7 HR, 33 RBI).

* Cleveland Indians traded 1B-OF Richie Sexson (.256, 16 HR, 44 RBI), minor league RHPs Paul Rigdon and Kane Davis and a player to be named to the Milwaukee Brewers for RHP Bob Wickman (2-2, 16 saves, 2.93 ERA), RHP Jason Bere (6-7, 4.93 ERA) and RHP Steve Woodard (1-7, 5.96 ERA).

* Cleveland Indians traded OF Alex Ramirez (.286, 5 HR, 12 RBI) and IF Enrique Wilson (.325, 2 HR, 12 RBI) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for OF Wil Cordero (.282, 16 HR, 51 RBI).

* Cleveland Indians traded OF Ricky Ledee (.236, 9 HR, 39 RBI) to the Texas Rangers for 1B David Segui (.336, 11 HR, 57 RBI).

* Oakland Athletics traded minor league RHP Jesus Colome and a player to be named to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for RHP Jim Mecir (7-2, 1 save, 3.08 ERA) and minor league LHP Todd Belitz.

* The Angels traded RHP Brett Hinchcliffe and IF Keith Luuloa to the Chicago Cubs for OF Chris Hatcher, RHP Mike Heathcott and IF Brett King. All five players are minor leaguers.