Polonia Settles for 1-Year Deal : Baseball: Splitting their differences, outfielder signs with Angels for $2.475 million, avoiding arbitration.

By BOB NIGHTENGALE

Jan. 26, 1993 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

ANAHEIM — Spurned in his attempt to receive a multiyear contract from the Angels, outfielder Luis Polonia settled on a one-year, $2.475 million contract Monday, avoiding arbitration.

Polonia, who sought $2.9 million in arbitration while the Angels countered with $2.05 million, compromised and decided to split the difference. Polonia, who also is eligible to receive $250,000 in bonuses, becomes the Angels’ fifth highest-paid player.

“What Luis really wanted was a long-term contract,” said his agent, Chuck Berry. “So there is some frustration because of failure to do that. But it’s their call, and not much we can do about that right now.

“We’re just hoping now to put together a good season for the Angels and for Luis Polonia.”

Polonia, 28, the first Angel player to lead the club in hits three consecutive seasons, will be eligible for free agency at the end of the 1993 season. Although Polonia is open to contract negotiations during the season, he’s considering suspending further negotiations until filing for free agency.

“At this point the plan is to see what free agency has to offer at the end of the year,” Berry said. “Luis likes it in Anaheim, and loves being an Angel, but it only makes sense to listen to other offers.”

The Angels, who also have third baseman Kelly Gruber eligible for free agency at season’s end, are hesitant about offering any multiyear contracts because of the uncertainty of baseball’s labor agreement.

“We’re going to take a wait-and-see attitude,” said Dan O’Brien, Angel senior vice president/baseball operations. “It all depends on how things fall. As we get down the road, we might start talking.”

Polonia, who lost his arbitration case last season, when he was paid $1.65 million instead of his request of $2.45 million, has a career .299 batting average. Although he had one of his worst seasons statistically in 1992, he was voted the Angels’ Most Valuable Player, leading the club in several offensive categories: runs (83), hits (165), total bases (190), batting average (.286) and stolen bases (51).

He will be the Angels’ leadoff hitter again, and is projected to play almost exclusively in left field because of the acquisition of designated hitter Chili Davis.

The Angels have signed all of their arbitration-eligible players, and according to O’Brien, have 16 major league players under contract for the 1993 season.