Mesa Spells Relief

Cleveland Indians closer Jose Mesa, who converted 46 of 48 save opportunities and set a major league record with 38 consecutive saves, was given the Rolaids Reliever of the Year award.

Mesa’s 46 saves, the most in the major leagues this year, set a team record. His 38 consecutive saves broke the previous record of 36 set by Dennis Eckersley in 1992.

Kevin McClatchy signed a final agreement to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates and now needs only the approval of major league owners to formally acquire the team.

McClatchy, who at 32 is younger than several Pirates players, will likely be approved as the team’s fourth owner since World War II at the major league owners meetings Jan. 16-18 in Los Angeles.

Dave Martinez, a Chicago White Sox outfielder who hit a career-high .307 last season, re-signed with the team, agreeing to a two-year contract.

Detroit general manager Randy Smith made his first trade since recently being hired by the Tigers, dealing with his former team and getting first baseman Tim Hyers from the San Diego Padres for a player to be named or cash.

Art Howe and Jim Lefebvre are the two finalists to become manager of the Oakland Athletics, with the decision to be announced today, a Houston television reported.

KRIV-TV said Howe, a former Houston Astros manager, and Lefebvre, a former Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners manager, interviewed for a second time at the general managers’ meetings in Phoenix.

Jesse Barfield, who led the majors with 40 home runs in 1986, was hired by the Texas Rangers as their minor-league hitting coach.