CLEVELAND -- Pitcher Danys Baez, who defected from the Cuban national team during the Pan American Games this summer, has signed a four-year, $14.5 million contract with the Cleveland Indians.

Baez, 22, picked the Indians over the World Series champion New York Yankees, Atlanta and Tampa Bay. The right-hander throws a fastball in the mid-90s mph and is projected as a starter.

"I'm very, very happy to have made the decision," Baez said Saturday from Costa Rica through his interpreter and agent, Joe Cubas.

Cleveland general manager John Hart said Baez's age and talent, plus the Indians' need for pitching, prompted them to offer the rich contract that includes a club option for the 2004 season.

"We put all of that into the cake," Hart said.

Hart said Baez could possibly pitch in the majors next season, but would not guess whether he would begin the year in Cleveland or Triple-A Buffalo.

"We're not going to put that kind of pressure on him," Hart said. "We'll let the talent speak for itself when we get to spring training."

The Indians have won five straight American League Central championships, but have not won the World Series since 1948, and their lack of a No. 1 starter has been their downfall in the postseason. Hart said Cleveland would continue to pursue pitching in the offseason -- San Diego's Andy Ashby has been rumored in trade talks.

Cubas said Baez, who played at Cuba's top level for two years, went with the Indians because they presented a chance to pitch in the majors in the immediate future and were a perennial contender.

"And there is no question that the commitment this organization has made to Latin players was a factor," Baez said.

Hart said the signing was "enthusiastically supported" by Larry Dolan, who agreed Thursday to buy the Indians franchise for $320 million.

Baez was listed at 19 years old in August when he left Cuba's team shortly before it won the gold medal at the Pan American Games at Winnipeg, Manitoba. Cubas said Baez turned 22 on Sept. 10.

Last month, about a dozen scouts showed up at a stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica, to watch the 6-for-4, 225-pound Baez work out. The exhibition was organized by Cubas, who has helped other Cuban baseball players flee their communist country.

Cubas obtained temporary residence for Baez in Costa Rica. That exempted Baez from the major league draft and made him a free agent.

Cubas said immigration paperwork would begin Monday to clear the way for Baez to get a visa to enter the United States.

"As you might imagine, the most difficult decision of my life was to separate from my mom and dad," Baez said. "Hopefully, that separation will be temporary."

While living in Costa Rica, Baez's apartment was hooked up to American cable television, allowing him to watch major league teams during the last two months of the season.

Another Cubas client is defector Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, an established star in Cuba who signed a $6.6 million, four-year contract with the Yankees that has since turned out to be a bargain.

The Indians finished second in the bidding for Hernandez, who became MVP of the AL Championship Series this year in his second season in the majors.

"In my opinion, Danys Baez possesses the best combination of any defector in terms of youth and a power arm," Cubas said.