INDIANS Gutierrez dealt to Mets for player to be named and cash

Cleveland will still pay over $1 million of his 2004 salary.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Ricky Gutierrez's impressive comeback is veering back over to the National League.
The veteran infielder, whose career was nearly ended by a serious neck injury, was traded by the Indians Sunday with cash to the New York Mets for a player to be named.
"I'm just happy someone else wanted me," Gutierrez said.
He played in just 16 games last season after undergoing a risky surgery in October 2002 to have two vertebrae fused in his neck. However, the 33-year-old arrived for spring training in shape and played well enough that the Mets grabbed him to be a backup.
"Ricky overcome odds that no one thought he could," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "This guy is a pro, and I don't use that word lightly."
The Indians will pay a "large majority" of Gutierrez's $4.6 million salary this season, said Shapiro, who needed approval from the commissioner's office because the club is assuming more than $1 million.
Gutierrez signed a three-year, $11.5 million deal as a free agent with the Indians in December 2001. Cleveland held a $5 million contract for next season with a $750,000 buyout.
Fits Mets needs
The Mets had been shopping for a utility infielder in recent weeks, and Gutierrez, who has played in the NL for San Diego, Houston and Chicago, can fill a variety of roles. He played first base for the first time in his career this week.
Shapiro said Mets GM Jim Duquette told him he planned to use Gutierrez as a backup at second behind Jose Reyes and third to give Ty Wigginton some time off.
The Indians weren't expecting much this spring from Gutierrez, who pondered retirement a year ago when he was unable to play following the operation.
But he is no longer bothered by numbness in his arms and was running and hitting like he used to. Gutierrez batted .375 with five RBIs in 13 spring games.
"I'm finally swinging the bat, that's the Ricky of old," he said. "I've just felt good. I've worked hard and bounced back from the injury."
In his last full season, Gutierrez, who will turn 34 in May, batted .290 with 10 homers and 66 RBIs for the Cubs in 2001 before leaving as a free agent.
He led the NL with 16 sacrifice hits that season.
Departure
His departure means the Indians' utility infield spots will go to John McDonald and free agent Lou Merloni, who has been a nice surprise in camp and can also play outfield if needed.
"It came down to Lou Merloni or Ricky Gutierrez," said Shapiro, who added that the Mets weren't the only team inquiring about Gutierrez.
After playing 147 games at shortstop for the Cubs in 2001, Gutierrez signed with Cleveland before the 2002 season to replace Roberto Alomar, who had been traded.