The truck stops here // Six-player deal with Mets lets Cubs think '98

The future started a week later than planned for the Cubs.

Their trade Friday with the New York Mets of outfielder BrianMcRae and pitchers Mel Rojas and Turk Wendell - as well as pitcherTerry Mulholland's move to San Francisco on waivers - were the resultof talks that began last month when general manager Ed Lynch tried tocomplete a deal before the July 31 deadline.

A week afterward, the Cubs will acquire some of the pieces theyhope will help next year and beyond and clear payroll room for moreoffseason moves.

The pieces include center fielder Lance Johnson, the ex-WhiteSox who led the majors in hits last year, and two other playersbelieved to be pitcher …