Angels Help Themselves in Bullpen and Outfield

Emerging from winter hibernation Thursday, the Angels acquired both needed relief pitching and left-handed-hitting outfield insurance.

Donnie Moore, who led the Atlanta Braves with 16 saves in 19 save opportunities, was drafted by the Angels as compensation for the loss of Type A free agent Fred Lynn.

In addition, Ruppert Jones, who batted .284 with 37 runs batted in while playing 79 games with Detroit, was signed by the Angels as a free agent. He agreed to a one-year contract, giving the Angels an option on a second year.

Moore, who will be 31 on Feb. 13, could be a pivotal acquisition since the loss of free agent Don Aase left the Angels with the inconsistent Doug Corbett and Luis Sanchez as the primary bullpen stoppers.

“I inquired into Donnie Moore last season,” Manager Gene Mauch said. “The feedback I got from National League players was that (Atlanta pitching coach) Bob Gibson had taught him how to pitch low and away. There were only three balls hit out of the Atlanta park off him, and that’s remarkable.”

With the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers and Braves, the right-handed Moore had converted only 12 of 170 save opportunities before blossoming last year with a 2.94 earned-run average in 47 appearances.

The Braves reportedly were reluctant to expose him to the compensation draft but could protect only 24 players and had to protect relief pitchers Terry Forster, Rick Camp and Gene Garber because of their no-trade contracts. The Atlanta bullpen also includes Bruce Sutter and Steve Bedrosian.

Moore, talking by phone from Atlanta, said the fact that he filed this week for salary arbitration and had undergone surgery in October to repair torn knee cartilage might have influenced the Braves.

He said he will throw Monday for the first time since his surgery and expects to be 100% by the start of spring training. He will be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angel orthopedist, within the next two weeks, but General Manager Mike Port said he was satisfied with the medical reports.

“Whether I’m the stopper or not, I’ll get an opportunity that I wasn’t going to get in Atlanta,” Moore said of the Angels. “I’m going where I’m wanted. Atlanta might be a little bitter about the arbitration but I don’t care. That’s now my past.”

Moore, who made $130,000 last year, had filed for $490,000. The Braves had countered with $375,000. The Angels must live with those figures if the case ultimately goes to arbitration, but it’s likely the Angels will satisfy Moore’s desire for a multi-year contract.

“This can be settled in five minutes, that’s the Angels way,” Moore’s New York agent, David Pintor, said. “They’ve already opened the door for Donnie, which is what the Braves should have done.”

Moore cited Gibson’s tutelage and refinements in his split-finger fastball for finally allowing him to become a pitcher instead of a thrower. He was recommended to the Angels by former Atlanta Manager Joe Torre, who will be an analyst on Angel telecasts this year.

Jones, 29, was selected by the Angels in Monday’s supplementary draft for free agents who had not signed after last November’s re-entry draft. Jones was initially drafted by five teams but said the offers he had received were not satisfactory.

Jones has a .257 average after parts of nine seasons with Kansas City, Seattle, the New York Yankees, San Diego and Detroit, for whom he played an important role in the second half of last season, platooning with Larry Herndon in left field.

Lynn’s departure left the Angels in need of a left-handed hitting outfielder. Jones said Thursday that he understands and accepts the role-player’s responsibility.

Said Port: “Whether he platoons with Mike Brown in right field or simply provides left-handed protection, Ruppert gives us a player who can shore up the outfield.”

Mauch said: “His first year in Seattle, I thought Ruppert would be a super player. I still feel he’s yet to have his best year. He covers us in a lot of ways. We were short a left-handed bat and I feel fortunate to get one that’s this good.”

Port said the Angels are now a legitimate division contender and may yet make other roster moves.

“Moore’s addition could open some avenues, but it may depend on the structure of the staff,” he said. “We still have some ideas.”

Compensation selections were also made by the Cardinals, who lost Sutter, and Toronto Blue Jays, who lost Cliff Johnson. The Cardinals took Montreal shortstop Argenis Salazar. The Blue Jays picked Texas relief pitcher Tom Henke.