Angels Expect Davis to Return : Baseball: Agent says new-look free-agent outfielder likely to re-sign for 1991 after receiving no other offers. - Los Angeles Times
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Angels Expect Davis to Return : Baseball: Agent says new-look free-agent outfielder likely to re-sign for 1991 after receiving no other offers.

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

New-look free agency apparently has been of little value to Angel outfielder Chili Davis, who is expected to return to the Angels next season under his current contract.

Davis has until 9 (PST) tonight to sign with another team or return to the Angels for the final year of his contract. Davis’ agent, Tom Reich, told the Associated Press he had received no other offers for his client and said Davis likely would be with the Angels in 1991. Davis’ 1991 salary will be $1,450,000.

Four other new-look free agents--pitchers Jack Morris of Detroit, Juan Berenguer of Minnesota, Dave LaPoint of the New York Yankees and Mike LaCoss of the Giants--also have until 9 p.m. (PST) to sign with another club or remain with their current club. Ten other new-look free agents signed new contracts, including Gary Gaetti who signed an $11.4 million deal with the Angels.

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Davis might have wanted a more lucrative contract from the Angels, but he won’t get it. “It becomes difficult, from an economic standpoint, to be all things to all people,†General Manager Mike Port said, alluding to the club’s signing of Gaetti.

“There is a contract there for him to reaffirm if he so chooses,†Port said of Davis. “We’re not hoping he goes elsewhere. We’d like to have him here. But you can only do so many things.â€

Port also said he has had no serious trade talks involving third baseman Jack Howell, who was replaced by Gaetti. Despite reports the Yankees are interested in Howell, Port said he has not been contacted. “But there’s plenty of time before the beginning of the season and we expect there’s enough respect for Jack that we’ll hear from people,†Port said.

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Hearing dates have been set for Angels who filed for arbitration.

Pitcher Scott Bailes, who filed at $500,000 (the Angels offered $390,000), will have a hearing Feb. 4 in Chicago. The hearing for first baseman Wally Joyner ($2.1 million vs. $1.65 million) is Feb. 8 in Los Angeles; pitcher Bryan Harvey ($1.225 million vs. $850,000) Feb. 12 in Chicago; pitcher Kirk McCaskill ($2.4 million vs. $1.65 million) Feb. 13 in Chicago; pitcher Chuck Finley ($2.8 million vs. $1.75 million) Feb. 13 in Chicago; Howell ($835,000 vs. $652,500) Feb. 21 in Chicago, and outfielder Luis Polonia ($870,000 vs. $625,000) Feb. 21 in New York. A hearing will be scheduled for outfielder Dave Gallagher in Chicago.

Polonia was incorrectly identified in a chart last Saturday as being eligible to have his contract renewed.

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