NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Mike Stanton will stay in New York after all, agreeing to a $9 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets on Monday.

	Mike Stanton Relief pitcher New York Mets Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM IP W-L Hld SV ERA 79 78 7-1 17 6 3.00

Stanton, a stalwart in the Yankees' bullpen for six seasons, will move across town in the Mets' second free-agent signing of the offseason.

"This is where I wanted to be,'' Stanton said. "I'm happy we got it done.''

Stanton will join former Atlanta teammate Tom Glavine at Shea Stadium next season. Glavine signed a $35 million, three-year deal earlier this month.

Stanton and Glavine have a history of success -- they are the only two players to play in every postseason since 1991. That's important for the Mets, who finished in last place this year.

"He's a good fit,'' Mets general manager Steve Phillips said about Stanton. "For us to get a guy who's been in the postseason so many years to go with Tom Glavine, who's been in the postseason so many years, it adds an attitude to the clubhouse that we feel was necessary.''

The Yankees, the team Stanton helped to three World Series titles and four AL pennants, had given him only 15 minutes to accept a $4.6 million, two-year contract.

When Stanton didn't respond to the ultimatum, the Yankees didn't offer him salary arbitration Dec. 7. Stanton then began negotiating with other teams before deciding to join the Mets.

"I felt it could have been done in a more tasteful manner,'' Stanton said. "That doesn't negate the fact that I had six good years there. I don't wish the Yankees any harm. It's about me coming to the Mets.''

The deal was completed after an all-night bargaining session by Stanton's agents, Sam and Seth Levinson and Keith Miller. Stanton will make yearly salaries of $2 million, $3 million and $4 million.

Because he wanted to stay in New York, Stanton got a full no-trade clause from the Mets. Stanton would have been able to block deals if he had stayed with the Yankees because he was a 10-year veteran who had been with his team for at least five years.

The Mets let lefty Mark Guthrie go earlier this offseason and needed another left-hander in the bullpen. John Franco is recovering from elbow surgery, and rookie Jaime Cerda is the only other lefty reliever the Mets have.

This was the second move made by the Mets at the winter meetings. On Sunday, they traded problem shortstop Rey Ordonez to Tampa Bay for infielder Russ Johnson and minor league first baseman Josh Pressley.

New York also claimed lefty Peter Zamora off waivers from Philadelphia on Monday.

"In a slow market, we've addressed some needs that no doubt have impacted our pitching staff for 2003,'' Phillips said. "We still have to resolve our third-base situation and maybe make some changes in the outfield.''

The 35-year-old Stanton was the Yankees' left-handed setup man during World Series-winning seasons in 1998, 1999 and 2000. He was a key to keeping the their fragile bullpen together this year, when closer Mariano Rivera went on the disabled list three times.

Stanton went 7-1 with a 3.00 ERA and six saves in 79 games and became an All-Star for the first time.

He has been one of the most durable relievers in the game, making a major league-high 669 appearances the past 10 years.

His 20 World Series appearances rank second in baseball history, two behind Whitey Ford, and his 1.54 ERA in the Series is fifth lowest of pitchers with at least 10 appearances.

Despite the Mets' 75-86 record, Stanton thinks he can keep up his postseason streak.

"Last year for the Mets was maybe an aberration more than anything else,'' he said. "I think the moves they've made this offseason have been good moves. They just fell apart last season. When you fall apart it snowballs.''

Stanton spent nine years in the Braves' organization after turning pro in 1987, then pitched briefly for Boston and Texas before signing with the Yankees.

"I'm happy for Mike because he gets to stay in New York,'' Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. "It's a good move. He will help the Mets.''

He lives year-round in New Jersey with wife, Debbie, and three children.