Witt, Angels’ Perfect-Game Pitcher, Will Go to Arbitration Seeking to Triple His Salary

Mike Witt, who ended the 1984 season by pitching a perfect game, is one of three Angels who have filed for salary arbitration.

Witt, 24, a right-hander who earned $209,000 while posting a 15-11 record, is seeking $600,000 for 1985. The Angels have countered with an offer of $450,000, according to arbitration figures.

There is no compromise in arbitration. The arbitrator must choose either the club’s figure or the player’s. Negotiations between club and player can continue, however, after a player has filed for arbitration.

Relief pitcher Luis Sanchez filed for $425,000, after the Angels had offered $280,000, and first baseman Daryl Sconiers filed for $175,000, after the Angels had offered $110,000.

No hearing dates have been set, and General Manager Mike Port said all three cases might be settled before reaching the arbitrator. He said the Angels would prefer to have Witt sign a multi-year contract.

The Angels inherited a fourth arbitration case last week when they selected Atlanta relief pitcher Donnie Moore as compensation for the loss of free agent Fred Lynn. Moore, who made $130,000 while saving 16 games for the Braves, had already filed for $490,000. The Braves had offered $375,000.