In return, Bostons gets Mets prospect Boston Ian Bladergroen, a power-hitting first baseman with solid fielding skills.

01:00 AM EST on Thursday, January 27, 2005

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- In what will likely be their final major transaction of the winter, the Red Sox dipped into their surplus of major league first basemen, sending Doug Mientkiewicz to the New York Mets for Ian Bladergroen, whom they hope can be the team's first baseman in another two seasons or so.

The move re-installs Kevin Millar as Boston's everyday first baseman for 2005. The Sox had made a determination to deal either Millar or Mientkiewicz, not wishing to play a combined $7.25 million for the two this season.

Mientkiewicz also has a $450,000 buyout for a 2006 option. If Mientkiewicz isn't traded by the Mets, or brought back at a lesser price, the Red Sox are responsible for that buyout.

Mientkiewicz, obtained last July 31 in a four-team trade, solidified the Red Sox' infield defense over the final third of the season. Still bothered by a lingering wrist injury, however, Mientkiewicz was a disappointment at the plate, batting just .215 with one homer and 10 RBI in 49 games.

"We were just trying to make the best decision for the 2005 Red Sox and the future of the organization as well," said general manager Theo Epstein in announcing the deal. "In putting together all the factors, this was clearly the right move to make.

"Both (Millar and Mientkiewicz) bring a lot to a ballclub and both guys are everyday first basemen. We wish we could have combined (the offense of Millar and the defense of Mientkiewicz). But the way the evaluation evolved, Doug was the one traded."

The Mets, who had been in pursuit of free agent Carlos Delgado, stepped up their efforts to obtain Mientkiewicz after Delgado agreed Tuesday to a four-year deal with Florida.

Mientkiewicz became the subject of some controversy recently when it was revealed that he had in his possession the ball from the final out of the 2004 World Series -- Mientkiewicz recorded the final out in Game 4 when reliever Keith Foulke fielded a comebacker and tossed to first -- and intended to keep it. The Red Sox have contended that the ball is their property. Yesterday, Mientkiewicz and the Sox reached an agreement on the ball.

"It wasn't a factor whatsoever in this move," asserted Epstein. Bladergroen, 21, is big, powerful lefthanded hitter. Selected in the 44th round in 2002, he was hitting .342 with 13 homers and 74 RBI with a .398 on-base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage in 72 games in Single A last year before requiring surgery on his wrist. He's expected to be ready for spring training.

"We like him as a prospect," said Epstein. "He's got a chance to really hit and hit with power. He's a big kid, with a good approach and he has pretty good hands at first . . . He was the best player available to us in any deal involving (trading a first baseman) and it was a really good fit that he plays first because we don't have a lot of prospects at that position and we don't have a lot of power (in the system)."

As for depth behind Millar at the major league level, the Red Sox have given Dave McCarty an invitation to spring training with a Triple A contract. Also, third baseman Kevin Youkilis has been told he'll get plenty of work at the position.