Several major league baseball players have avoided...

Several major league baseball players have avoided arbitration by signing early contracts. Among them, second baseman Juan Samuel signed a one-year, $1.06-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Samuel, 27, who set a major league record of double figures in home runs, triples, doubles and stolen bases in each of his first four seasons, had been scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Monday. He had been earning $600,000 and had asked for $1,175,000, while the Phillies had offered $900,000.

The New York Yankees and Charles Hudson agreed on a one-year contract that will pay the pitcher $450,000, plus $25,000 in incentives. Hudson, who made $305,000 in 1987, had also been scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing Monday. He had asked for $520,000, the Yankees had offered $400,000.

Hudson was 11-7 last year, his first with the Yankees, with a 3.61 earned-run average. He began the season 6-0.

Cleveland outfielder Joe Carter, who walked out of camp for 10 days last spring after the Indians imposed a $250,000 contract, avoided arbitration this season by signing a one-year contract for $840,000. Carter, who missed being eligible for arbitration last year by 27 days of major league service, sought $925,000 in this year’s case and the club offered $750,000. Carter, 27, hit .264 with 32 home runs, 106 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 1987.