Players’ Group Says Tigers Sign Morris

Free agent Jack Morris, baseball’s winningest pitcher this decade, signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers late Tuesday night, according to the Major League Baseball Players’ Assn.

“We heard something late,” said Arthur Schack, an attorney for the union. “We’ll be able to confirm it tomorrow.”

Morris was 18-11 last season. In 11 seasons with the Tigers, he is 162-105.

He will receive $1,988,000 in 1988 and $1,989,000 in 1989, according to figures published in today’s editions of the New York Times. Morris will receive $1 million of his 1989 salary next Dec. 1, raising his 1988 income to $3,977,000.

Morris, a 31-year-old right-hander, became a free agent for the first time last year but no other team wanted him, even when he offered to sign at a salary set by an arbitrator.

He and his agent, Dick Moss, also approached the Minnesota Twins, the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. When no bids came, he accepted Detroit’s offer of salary arbitration minutes before the midnight deadline.