Sutton Compromises on Angels’ Contract

Free-agent pitcher Don Sutton, seeking a two-year contract from the Angels, settled on a compromise Thursday--reaching an agreement for the 1986 season plus an option for 1987.

Sutton, 40, ended a long quest to play for a major league team near his Laguna Hills home when he was traded from the Oakland A’s to the Angels on Sept. 10. Sutton had a 2-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in five starts with the Angels. Overall, Sutton had a 15-10 mark with a 3.86 ERA in 1985, leaving him five victories short of 300 for his career.

Sutton reportedly agreed to terms similar to his 1985 contract, which included a guaranteed salary of $500,000 plus incentives tied to the number of games started. Sutton started 34 games last season, earning him $260,000 in bonuses.

Sutton is currently in Hawaii on a promotional trip with a sporting goods company. He handled his own negotiations and completed the deal with a long-distance phone call.

“It was an unusual negotiation,” Angel Vice President Mike Port said, “but it shows that there is a little honor left in this world. We have an understanding. Once we’re on the same continent, we can get the contract typed and have Don sign it.”

Port now has two players still unsigned--pitcher Donnie Moore and outfielder Juan Beniquez. Port said the Angels will request arbitration with Moore, which would extend the team’s negotiating rights until Jan. 8, but are uncertain about Beniquez.

“Juan is still solid in his interest for a multiyear contract, and we are still solidly not in favor of taking that direction,” Port said. “We have not yet decided whether or not we want to enter arbitration with him.”