Rafael Palmeiro and Robin Ventura got the big money as Charles Johnson, Todd Hundley and Armando Benitez switched teams in the big deal.

On another wild day of high finance in baseball, Palmeiro went back to Texas for a $45 million five-year contract Tuesday, and Ventura agreed to the basics of a $32 million four-year deal with the New York Mets.And that wasn't all.

In a surprising three-way trade, the kind that's rarely seen in the free-agent era, the Mets sent Hundley and minor league pitcher Arnold Gooch to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Johnson and outfielder Roger Cedeno, and then traded Johnson to the Baltimore Orioles for Benitez.

As if that wasn't enough, Otis Nixon returned to Atlanta, which also re-signed infielder Ozzie Guillen, and catcher Carlos Hernandez and San Diego neared agreement on a two-year contract worth about $10 million.

"It's been a day of highs and lows, ups and downs," said Orioles general manager Frank Wren, who began the day by formally signing Albert Belle to a $65 million, five-year deal, then found out Palmeiro turned down the Orioles' $50 million, five-year offer.

Ventura, who ended negotiations with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, could finalize his deal today. A pair of sources familiar with the Ventura negotiations, speaking on the condition they not be identified, confirmed the third baseman agreed to a contract with the Mets averaging $8 million annually. The sides still had to agree on how to structure the contract and other details.

"We are hopeful we have made a significant enough offer that shows our interest," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "We would like to have him in a Mets uniform. I'm hopeful."

New York cleared a logjam with the trade. Hundley, who is to be paid $5.2 million next season and $6 million in 2000, became expendable after New York kept Mike Piazza with a $91 million, seven-year deal in October.

"It is a bittersweet day in Mets history, with Todd Hundley leaving the organization," Phillips said. "We feel we've added in Armando Benitez one of the best power pitchers in the game."

Hundley struggled last season after returning from the disabled list in July following reconstructive surgery on his right elbow at the end of the 1997 season and playing mostly in the outfield.

"Physically, my elbow is very strong," he said. "Matter of fact, I had an MRI done yesterday. The doctor said it looks great."

He hit just .161 with three homers, 12 RBIs and 55 strikeouts in 124 at-bats, limiting his trade value. Before the injury, Hundley was one of the most feared hitters in the NL, hitting a total of 71 homers in 1996 and 1997 with 198 RBIs.

"Last year, I just couldn't get mentally into the game playing left field," he said. "I've got to be behind the plate and running the game. Last year mentally was tough for me. I'm confident my elbow is back and as strong as ever."

Benitez, who gave up the homer to Tony Fernandez that lost the 1997 AL pennant to Cleveland, went 5-6 with a 3.82 ERA and 22 saves last season for Baltimore. He will be the right-handed setup man for closer John Franco.

Johnson, 27, came to the Dodgers on May 15 along with Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenreich and a minor league pitcher for Piazza and third baseman Todd Zeile. Piazza was traded to the Mets a week later.

The four-time Gold Glove played in 133 games with the Marlins and Dodgers this year and hit just .218 with 19 homers and 58 RBIs. Cedeno, a 24-year-old switch hitter long considered a top prospect, .242 this year with two homers and 17 RBIs.

Palmeiro, who left Texas after the 1993 season to sign a $30.35 million, five-year contract with Baltimore, went to The Ballpark in Arlington on Tuesday -- without his agent -- and accepted a deal that includes yearly salaries of $9 million, of which $1 million a season will be deferred.

"It's good to be home," Palmeiro said. "This is where I want to be. This is where I want to finish my career. And this is where I want to win."

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His decision ends the Texas career of Will Clark, who replaced him five years ago and now could be headed to Boston.

"We had initial interest from a number of teams, but we had focused our attention on Texas, which was Will's first choice," said Clark's agent, Jeff Moorad. "At this point, we'll go back to the other teams that have expressed interest and continue this game of musical chairs."

Belle's deal with Baltimore had been expected since his agent and the Orioles agreed to the financial terms last Friday night. He had until Wednesday to return to the Chicago White Sox and complete a $55 million, five-year deal that guaranteed him $35 million in the next three seasons.

"You look at the situation the last two years, October rolls around and you're out there working on your golf game. That just didn't sit well with me," Belle said.

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