KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Cleveland Indians kept any concerns they have over the addition of John Rocker to themselves.

	Gonzalez

But some of them also reserved any endorsement of the controversial closer, obtained Friday night from Atlanta -- along with minor-league third baseman Troy Cameron -- for relievers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed.

"That's a business thing," outfielder Juan Gonzalez said. "I can't do anything about that. I just go out and play my game. The other -- that's not anything for me to talk about."

Mostly, though, the Indians preferred to talk pragmatically about what pairing the left-handed Rocker with right-handed closer Bob Wickman could do for a team fighting to maintain a 1½-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central.

"This gives us a big closer," manager Charlie Manuel said after the Indians 6-5 win over Kansas City. "With Wickman and Rocker at the back end of our bullpen, we feel like we've got two guys who can close out a game."

But in Rocker, the Indians also get controversy. In an interview for Sports Illustrated after the 1999 season, he openly aired his dislike for New Yorkers in general -- and for homosexuals, immigrants and unwed mothers in particular.

That earned him a suspension for all of spring training and the first 28 days of the regular season, although an arbitrator cut the regular-season suspension in half and reduced a $20,000 fine to $500.

"I think everyone in America is aware of it. I think that's an issue that's been there for a year plus," Indians general manager John Hart said. "Last year he battled through all the things that went around it. John regrets the things that he said and has certainly paid a big price personally.

"The one thing I hope here is that John will be judged on what he says, what he does and how he acts, going forward," Hart said.

During the course of trade talks, Hart said, "We did talk to a number of our core players over the last several days ... our veterans of all nationalities. I talked about John Rocker. To a man, every one said 'Absolutely, get this guy. He can help us win."'

The controversy would go away faster if people would let it go, Indians outfielder Ellis Burks said.

"There's been plenty of people to say things that they don't really mean or that they regret at that particular time," Burks said. "I think that's one of those deals."

Manuel also didn't expect Rocker's presence in the clubhouse to be a distraction.

"We've got a veteran club, and I don't think this is going to affect us at all," he said. "We've got a bunch of professionals out there in our locker room. More than that, I think we've got a bunch of guys who want to win."

Rocker won't be the first player given a chance to rehabilitate his image in Cleveland.

Four years ago, second baseman Roberto Alomar came to the Indians in disgrace after spitting in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck while he was playing for the Baltimore Orioles.

Alomar quickly became a fan favorite and a team leader, and he and Hirschbeck say they have even become friends. But Alomar wasn't drawing any parallels between his situation and Rocker's. He refused to discuss the trade Friday night.