BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles today rewarded 40-year-old designated hitter Harold Baines for an All-Star season by giving him a chance at a World Series title.

The Orioles sent Baines, a six-time All-Star, to the mighty Cleveland Indians for minor league pitcher Juan Aracena and a player to be named.

Baltimore is 12 games behind Boston and Oakland for the American League wild card while the Indians (77-49) are tied with the New York Yankees for the best record in the league.

With Cleveland pacing the AL Central Division by 16 1/2 games, Baines is certain to return to the postseason for the fifth time in his 20-year career.

He helped the Orioles to the AL Championship Series in 1997, won the World Series in 1990 during his second postseason appearance with the Athletics and played in the 1983 ALCS with the Chicago White Sox.

"Harold Baines is not only having a great year, but he is one of the finest people in baseball," Orioles general manager Frank Wren said. "This trade gives Harold an opportunity to play in the postseason again."

Baseball's all-time leader among designated hitters in games (1,517), hits (1,586), home runs (223) and RBI (913), Baines is batting .322 with 24 homers and 81 RBI this season. He is eighth in the league with a .583 slugging percentage.

Baines, who likely will platoon at DH, joins the best offense in baseball. The Indians lead the major leagues in batting average (.292), runs scored (787) and slugging percentage (.471).

"Harold is a professional hitter who is going to provide the club with an experienced lefthanded bat as we enter the final stages of the 1999 campaign," Indians GM John Hart said. "Harold can hit anywhere in our lineup and he is a proven run producer."

Baines is a career .292 hitter with 472 doubles, 49 triples, 372 homers and 1,561 RBI -- tying former teammate Cal Ripken of Baltimore for the lead among active players -- in 2,674 games with Baltimore, Chicago, Oakland and the Texas Rangers.

Aracena, a righthander, will be assigned to Class A Frederick of the Carolina League. The fill Baines' spot on the major league roster, lefthander B.J. Ryan was promoted from Class AAA Rochester of the International League, where he had one save and a 2.51 ERA in 11 appearances. Ryan was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in the Juan Guzman trading deadline deal.

Aracena, a 22-year-old reliever, began the season at Class A Columbus, going 2-0 with 18 saves and a 3.28 ERA in 32 games. He also pitched in five games at Kinston, where he was 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA.

"We have received one young player and will receive another who can help us build for the future," Wren said. "Aracena is a pitcher with a good, live arm who we're excited to add to our system."