SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- What started as a possible swap of second baseman between the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres today mushroomed into a blockbuster six-player deal.

Atlanta today sent second baseman Bret Boone, first baseman/outfielder Ryan Klesko and minor league righthander Jason Shiell to the Padres for second baseman Quilvio Veras, outfielder Reggie Sanders and first baseman Wally Joyner.

A deal involving Boone and Veras has been rumored for weeks and finally was completed today. It fills the Braves' hole in left field and provides insurance at first base should Andres Galarraga be slow to return from the cancer that sidelined him for the enitre 1998 season.

"I think this is a pretty significant deal," Braves manager John Schuerholz said. "I don't know if there is any need, except for fine tuning, than to gather our troops for spring training."

The Braves grew unhappy with the free-swinging Boone, who struck out 112 times last season, a year after winning the Gold Glove. He was sometimes at odds with manager Bobby Cox and later asked for a contract extension that was not granted.

The 30-year-old Boone batted .252 with 20 home runs and 63 RBI in 152 games in his only season in Atlanta after being acquired in a deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

He switches places at second base with Veras, who established career highs with a .280 batting and had six homers, 41 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 132 games last season. The Braves have tabbed Veras, 28, their leadoff hitter, coupling him with Sanders near the top of the order.

"With the acquisition of Veras and Sanders, we have substantially improved the upper part of our lineup," Schuerholz said. "Our team will be speedier and a little more athletic."

Sanders will fill the gap left in left field caused when Gerald Williams signed as a free agent with Monday with Tampa Bay. Sanders joins his third team in as many years after being obtained last February from Cincinnati in a deal for slugger Greg Vaughn.

Joyner, a 37-year-old native of Atlanta, struggled last year while battling a shoulder injury, finishing with a .248 average and just five homers. While Galaragga is expected to be healthy, the Braves took the veteran first baseman as insurance after shipping Klesko to the Padres.

"Wally is protecion for us if Andres cannot come back and play 162 games. We have a person imminently qualified to play in his place," Schuerholz said.

The cost-conscious Padres will save some money in the deal next season. Joyner is scheduled to make $3.375 million in 2000, Sanders will get $3.7 million and Veras is eligible for arbitration.

Boone, who was born in San Diego, is scheduled to make $3.75 million next year with a club option for 2001. Klesko will make $5.75 million in 2000 and $6.5 million in 2001.

"Bret Boone has established himself as a rare 20-home run middle infielder the last couple of years, while remaining one of the best defensive second basemen in the game," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "Ryan Klesko not only hits 20-30 home runs a season, but has also matured to the point where he's getting on base more than a lot of power hitters."

Klesko, who has topped 20 home runs in four of the last five seasons and slugged 34 homers in 1996, hit .297 with 21 homers and 80 RBI for the Braves in 1999. In all or parts of eight major league seasons, all with Atlanta, he has hit .281 with 139 homers and 450 RBI.

The 28-year-old California native played 50 games in left field and 66 at first base for Atlanta in 1999. He might see time at both positions for the Padres with the departure of Joyner and Sanders.

Boone, an All-Star in 1998, is a career .255 hitter with 106 homers, 462 RBI and 39 steals in 945 major league contests.

The grandson of major league infielder Ray Boone, the son of long-time major league catcher Bob Boone and the older brother of Reds third baseman Aaron Boone, Bret was dealt to Atlanta in November 1998.

Boone established career highs with 608 at-bats, 102 runs scored and 14 stolen bases, while his 20 home runs were four shy of his 1998 personal best. He played three seasons with the Padres after two years with the Florida Marlins.

Sanders, 32, hit .285 with 26 homers, 72 RBI and 36 steals in 1999. In eight seasons, he has hit .273 with 151 home runs, 503 RBI and 194 steals.

Joyner batted .248 with five home runs and 43 RBI in 110 games in 1999, his fourth season with San Diego. In 14 seasons with the Angels, Kansas City and San Diego, Joyner has hit .290 with 196 homers and 1,060 RBI in 1,861 games.

Shiell, a 23-year-old righthander, went 6-7 with 3.77 ERA in 26 games at Class-A Myrtle Beach in 1999.

In a separte deal, the Padres acquired lefthander Dan Serafini from the Chicago Cubs for minor league outfielder Brandon Pernell. Serafini went 3-2 with one save and a 6.93 ERA in 38 appearances for the Cubs last season.