Giants Join Chase to Acquire Ryan

The San Francisco Giants are joining the Angels, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros in bidding for free agent pitcher Nolan Ryan, Giants’ president Al Rosen said Sunday.

“We’ll be competitive,” Rosen said, refusing to say whether he would top the Angels, who have submitted the most lucrative bid: $1.5 million with incentive provisions that could bring Ryan close to $2 million.

Angel General Manager Mike Port said he talked Sunday with Ryan’s agent, Dick Moss, as well as Nick Lampros, the agent for free agent pitcher Bruce Hurst, but did not change his offers.

The Angels have offered Hurst $4.9 million for 3 years. Club owner Gene Autry, who has urged Port to take a vigorous approach in the pursuit of Ryan and Hurst, is scheduled to arrive at the winter meetings today. There is speculation that the Angels are prepared to boost their offers, but it may be too late for Hurst, the Boston Red Sox left-hander who is thought to be leaning toward a $4.7 million offer from the San Diego Padres.

“There’s a possibility of a decision tomorrow,” Lampros said Sunday.