Clancy Decides to Stay With Blue Jays

Free-agent pitcher Jim Clancy, an original member of the Toronto Blue Jays, re-signed with the team Tuesday, two days before a deadline that would have prevented him from joining the club until May 1.

Clancy, who has pitched for Toronto since its inception in 1977, agreed to a two-year contract that will pay him $850,000 in the first year and $900,000 in 1988. The new deal represents a raise for Clancy, who signed a four-year, $3-million deal in 1983.

Last season, Clancy went 14-14 with a 3.94 earned-run average. His career record is 102-116.

Clancy, 31, said in a telephone interview that he was seeking a three-year contract but was happy with the terms.

“I was looking for (a longer contract), but I guess the owners are going with a standard with pitchers--two years,” Clancy said.

Clancy’s agent, Randy Hendricks, said he was pleased with the new deal but said Clancy was a victim of a “conspiracy factor” facing many free agents.

“Jim’s like a lot of players,” Hendricks said from New York, where he signed the deal with Pat Gillick, Toronto’s executive vice president for baseball operations.

“The conspiracy factor is alive and well. There’s nobody beating down your door to sign you, even though you had a good season.”