Mets sign Cameron to be centerpiece of their outfield

Cameron also had been courted by San Diego and Oakland. But the Mets were more desperate for an everyday center fielder, having tried without success to fill the full-time spot since trading Jay Payton during the 2002 season.

Cameron, 30, hit .253 with 18 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases for Seattle last season.

He won a Gold Glove in 2001 and was an All-Star with the Mariners that season.

Cameron tied a major league record by hitting four home runs in a game in 2002. Even though he's twice hit 25 homers in a year, he's not noted for his power.

Lofton: Center stage

While the Yankees finalized the remaining details on their trade for Dodgers righthander Kevin Brown, the New York Daily News reported the team signed free agent center fielder Kenny Lofton to a two-year contract worth about $6 million. Lofton's presence could push Bernie Williams into a full-time DH role.

On the Gary Sheffield front, the Yankees and the right fielder are coming ever closer to an agreement. The free agent, apparently nervous about the Yankees' pursuit of Vladimir Guerrero, has dropped his demands that team owner George Steinbrenner sweeten the contract the two negotiated several weeks ago.

Braves add Drew

Needing run production and a right fielder, the Atlanta Braves were willing to part with pitching and take a chance on J.D. Drew. The Braves acquired the oft-injured outfielder along with utilityman Eli Marrero from the Cardinals for pitchers Jason Marquis, Ray King, and Adam Wainwright.

"Adam is our No. 1 pitching prospect and that was tough to do, but under the circumstances, we had no choice," Braves manager John Schuerholz said. "We have great regard for J.D. Drew."

Drew, 28, hit .289 last season with 15 homers and 42 RBIs in 100 games for the Cardinals.

He's never played more than 135 games in a season and made five trips to the disabled list in the last four seasons.

Marrero, 30, batted .224 in just 107 at-bats. Marquis, a 25-year-old righthander, never lived up to his potential as another in the Braves' line of top pitchers. He was 0-0 with a 5.53 ERA in two starts and 19 relief appearances. King, a 29-year-old lefthander, was 3-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 80 relief appearances

. . .

The World Series champion Marlins traded outfielder Juan Encarnacion to the Dodgers for a player to be named. Encarnacion joined catcher Ivan Rodriguez, first baseman Derrek Lee, and closer Ugueth Urbina as players to leave the Marlins since they won the title.

Encarnacion hit .270 with 19 home runs and 94 RBIs last season. He had a team-high 37 doubles and stole 19 bases. He has not made an error in 220 games

. . .

The Tigers signed their second free agent of the week, agreeing to a $6 million, two-year contract with outfielder Rondell White, who was an All-Star with San Diego before being traded to Kansas City in August. White hit .289 with 22 home runs for the year. Detroit signed second baseman Fernando Vina Wednesday, and GM Dave Dombrowski said the team is interested in free agent shortstop Miguel Tejada.