Yanks Grab Cone, Sierra For Stretch Run In East New York Sends Prospects To Toronto, Tartabull To A’S; Orioles Get Bonilla

In a flurry of prospects-for-veterans trades, Baltimore and the New York Yankees increased the pressure on first-place Boston in the American League East on Friday.

Baltimore obtained a needed cleanup hitter, Bobby Bonilla, from the New York Mets for two minor-league outfielders. The Yankees added a No. 1 starter from Toronto, David Cone, and a former All-Star outfielder from Oakland, Ruben Sierra, sending three minor-league pitchers to the Blue Jays and unwanted outfielder Danny Tartabull to Oakland.

“Unless Boston … do(es) something, the Yankees definitely have an advantage,” Toronto general manager Gord Ash said before learning of Baltimore’s trade.

Boston has led the East since May 13, with the lead a season-high nine games on June 7. After Friday’s play at The Ballpark in Arlington, Boston improved to 10-11 since July 4 and leads Baltimore by 4-1/2 games and the Yankees by 5-1/2 games.

“We’re in first place,” Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said before the game against the Texas Rangers. “We’re dealing from strength. We don’t have to give up all our young prospects to get guys that may or may not make a difference. Look at Toronto. They were in last place with David Cone, weren’t they?”

Kennedy acknowledged the Red Sox may trade for a pitcher by Monday, after which difficult-to-get waivers are required for all trades. Boston general manager Dan Duquette did discuss a possible trade for Cone with Ash. The Red Sox, according to major-league officials, are now interested in New York Mets right-hander Bret Saberhagen. The Red Sox added All-Star closer Rick Aguilera from Minnesota on July 6.

Ash said he had significant trade talks with 11 teams, including the Rangers, before sending Cone to the Yankees for three minor-league pitchers, none of whom has experience above Class AA. The Yankees added Cone to fill the hole created by Jimmy Key’s shoulder injury.

Key, runner-up to Cone for the Cy Young award last season, had only one victory in five starts this season before undergoing career-threatening shoulder surgery.

Scott Kamieniecki and Melido Perez also have missed time in the Yankees’ rotation because of injuries. At the time of the Cone trade, the Yankees’ rotation was 29-33 with a 5.12 ERA, fifth-highest in the A.L. Cone was 9-6 with a 3.38 ERA for last-place Toronto.

“They’ve needed a stabilizing influence like Jimmy Key,” Ash said. “Last year, every time they needed to win a game, it was Jimmy Key. Now that’s David Cone’s responsibility.”

Sierra, with the Rangers from 1986-92, and Tartabull had fallen from favor with their former teams. Oakland manager Tony La Russa in June called Sierra “a village idiot” for negative comments about general manager Sandy Alderson.

Yankees’ owner George Steinbrenner accused Tartabull of milking a rib-cage injury so as to not play in New York.

Despite Sierra’s troubles, he gives the Yankees a younger and better run producer. Sierra, 29, has eight consecutive seasons of more than 85 RBIs. Tartabull, 32, has had five 85-RBIs seasons in the last eight seasons.

Baltimore, which added right-hander Scott Erickson this month, had pursued Bonilla for about two weeks. The deal fell into place when the Orioles agreed to give up touted minor-league outfielder Alex Ochoa in addition to outfielder Damon Buford, who has some minor-league experience.

Bonilla will play in the outfield and bat cleanup. Baltimore’s cleanup hitters have combined for the A.L.’s third-lowest homer total (11) and fourth-lowest RBIs total (53).

Bonilla, a switch-hitter, had 18 homers and 53 RBIs with the Mets.