Indians Trade Williams to Arizona

The Cleveland Indians sent Matt Williams home to Arizona on Monday, acquiring Travis Fryman and left-hander Tom Martin from the Diamondbacks in a trade brought about by a player’s divorce.

Williams, a power-hitting third baseman who wanted desperately to play in Phoenix to be with his children, agreed to a five-year, $45-million extension with the Diamondbacks as part of the trade.

“This is the most important decision of the rest of my life,” said the recently divorced Williams, who wanted to be close to his children so much he is forfeiting $2.5 million of his 1998 salary, reducing it from $7 million to $4.5 million.

“As a result, he’s here,” said Diamondback owner Jerry Colangelo, who can put the money toward the $3 million that goes to Cleveland as part of the trade.

“It certainly has the feel of an unprecedented gesture,” said Williams’ agent, Jeff Moorad.

Williams’ divorce from his wife of eight years began during spring training and was finalized at midseason. His three children live in Paradise Valley, Ariz., near Phoenix.

Williams, 32, batted .263 with 32 homers and 105 RBIs in his only season with the Indians.

Williams has no regrets about leaving Cleveland, saying, “I had to trade it all for a chance to have a good relationship with my children. They are the most important thing, without a doubt, in my life.”

Fryman, 28, was acquired by Arizona from Detroit on Nov. 18 in a trade the night of the expansion draft. Martin, 27, was selected by the Diamondbacks from Houston with their first pick of the second round of the expansion draft.