Salkeld, Mariners Near Agreement on Contract

Roger Salkeld of Saugus High is “extremely close” to signing a professional baseball contract with the Seattle Mariners after more than two weeks of negotiations, the pitcher’s father said Friday.

Bill Salkeld said that both parties are likely to agree “very soon” on a contract and signing bonus but declined to elaborate. Roger, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound right-hander, was picked third in last month’s amateur draft.

“All I can say is that it looks very promising,” Bill Salkeld said. “We feel they will be extremely fair in their offer. They have been extremely nice to us.”

The Salkeld family has been steadfast in its request that Seattle make an offer commensurate with Roger’s status as a first-round pick. Last season Steve Avery, the No. 3 pick overall, received a signing bonus from the Atlanta Braves reported to be $211,000.

Because of the status of the negotiations Salkeld, who was 13-1 this season with an 0.57 earned-run average and 178 strikeouts in 108 2/3 innings, will forgo the remainder of the American Legion season. Salkeld is a member of the Newhall-Saugus (Santa Clarita) entry.

According to American Legion rules, a player drafted by a professional club must sign a contract by June 30 or be allowed to complete the Legion season--a rule that long has been honored by Major League Baseball. American Legion’s regular season ends July 27.