BOSTON -- The Chicago Cubs didn't take long to find their replacement at shortstop, acquiring Alex Gonzalez from Toronto on Monday for left-hander Felix Heredia and a player to be named.

	Alex S. Gonzalez Shortstop Chicago Cubs Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 154 17 76 79 18 .253

Gonzalez takes over for free agent Ricky Gutierrez, who was not offered salary arbitration by the Cubs before last Friday's deadline.

"He will be an outstanding defensive player for us," Cubs general manager Andy MacPhail said. "He's quicker and runs better than Gutierrez and he has good power for a shortstop."

The 28-year-old Gonzalez, who signed a $20 million, four-year contract during last year's winter meetings, batted .253 with career highs of 17 homers, 76 RBI and 79 runs scored last year for Toronto.

He had a .987 fielding percentage, fourth best in the majors among shortstops, and led AL shortstops with 120 double plays.

Gutierrez set career highs last season in average (.290), homers (10) and RBI (66). He also led the league with a career-high 17 sacrifice bunts.

"Gonzalez has power and can steal bases," Cubs manager Don Baylor said. "He gives us a different dimension at shortstop."

Toronto saves money in the deal. Heredia is entering the final season of a $3 million, two-year contract. Cutting payroll is a priority for the Blue Jays, who had the largest operating loss of any team in baseball last season.

The trade is the second for Toronto's new general manager, J.P. Ricciardi. He also dealt closer Billy Koch to Oakland last week for minor league third baseman Eric Hinske and pitcher Justin Miller.

That deal opened the way for the Gonzalez trade. The Blue Jays plan to move prospect Felipe Lopez to shortstop to make room for Hinske.

Lopez is one of Toronto's top prospects. He hit .279 with 16 homers in 89 games for Triple-A Syracuse last season. He batted .260 with five homers in 177 at-bats for the Blue Jays.

"In order for us to go forward, we have to let the young guys play," Ricciardi said. "You don't know what the guys can do until you put them out there. These aren't Single-A players. These guys are all close."

Heredia went 2-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 48 relief appearances last season for the Cubs.

"The addition of another left-hander gives us a lot more flexibility in the bullpen," Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez said.