NEW YORK, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees acquired third baseman Robin Ventura from the New York Mets Friday for outfielder David Justice in the most significant trade ever made between the teams.
"In this job you have to have guts and take chances," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "This is the right thing to do for us, and for the Yankees perspective I understand where Robin is a great fit for them. This is a win-win trade for both teams."
The Yankees wanted Ventura, who is scheduled to make $8.25 million in 2002, as a one-year stopgap while they wait for prospect Drew Henson to take over the position. Scott Brosius, New York's third baseman since 1998, retired last month.
"With the departure of Scott Brosius, it was obvious that we had a void to fill at third base in 2002," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. "It is our belief that Robin -- with his lefthanded bat and on-base average -- was our best option and we look forward to his contributions to our efforts this season."
Desperate for outfield power, the Mets were willing to take Justice and his $7 million salary for 2002 as long as they were able to get rid of Ventura's price tag.
"Trading Robin and bringing back a lefthanded bat with pop was important," Phillips said. "David gives us a much-needed corner outfielder and flexibility with our roster."
Ventura, 34, is coming off two sub-par seasons but should benefit from the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium. The 12-year veteran hit just .237 with 21 homers and 61 RBI in 142 games last season after batting just .232 with 24 homers and 84 RBI in 2000.
After spending the first nine years of his career with the Chicago White Sox, Ventura signed as a free agent with the Mets in 1999 and hit 32 homers with a career-high 120 RBI and a .301 average.
Justice, 35, was one of the Yankees' best players after being acquired in June 2000, batting .305 with 20 home runs and 60 RBI in 78 games and helping them win their third straight World Series title. He was named Most Valuable Player of the 2000 American League Championship Series with eighth RBI in a six-game victory over the Seattle Mariners.
But the 13-year veteran faded this past season, bothered by nagging injuries and possibly distracted by a personal lawsuit. After undergoing double-hernia surgery in spring training, Justice also was hampered by groin problems during the season and hit just .241 with 18 homers and 51 RBI in 111 games.
"The 2000 year was a magical year, but last year I never got on track," he said. "I think after having double-hernia surgery in spring training, I never got on track all year. I was kind of playing catch up all year."
This is the 11th trade made between the teams. The last one was in September 1993, when the Mets sent pitcher Frank Tanana to the Yankees for minor league pitcher Kenny Greer.
A six-time Gold Glove winner and an All-Star in 1992, Ventura has a .271 career batting average with 248 home runs and 1,006 RBI. His 15 career grand slams are the most among active players and ranks ninth on the all-time list. Ventura also owns a .347 career batting average with the bases loaded with 175 RBI.
By moving Ventura, the Mets will likely shop for a third baseman at the winter meetings or may move second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo to third and start Desi Relaford at second.
