Angels Sign Another Pitcher: Smithson

The Angels continued to fortify their strongest department, adding another pitcher Thursday. But their center-field and leadoff-hitter problems remain.

Mike Smithson, whose intention of re-signing with the Red Sox was foiled on a technicality, signed a one-year contract with the Angels for a reported $480,000. The 6-foot-8 right-hander, who will be 35 next month, had a 7-14 record for Boston last season with a 4.95 earned-run average and two saves. He appeared in 40 games, starting 19 times and otherwise filling every variety of relief role.

“I’m very happy,” said Smithson, who pitched for Angel Manager Doug Rader with the Texas Rangers. “They’re a great team and I’m really looking forward to playing for Doug again. We were rookies together in Texas.”

The $480,000 contract Smithson signed with the Red Sox on Dec. 13 was voided Wednesday because he had agreed to terms after the Dec. 7 deadline for signing free agents who were not offered salary arbitration. The Major League Players Assn. was willing to waive the rule, but Red Sox General Manager Lou Gorman said that two clubs objected, voiding the contract.

Angel General Manager Mike Port said the Angels were not one of the objectors and added that the team had not pursued Smithson until several other possible deals had failed to materialize.

Both of Port’s off-season additions have been pitchers, prized left-hander Mark Langston and reliever Mark Eichhorn, signed to a triple-A contract.

“He’s a fellow of some versatility,” Port said of Smithson, who has a career record of 76-86 and ERA of 4.58. “He has starting experience and has pitched in middle and long relief as well. His versatility gives us some flexibility.”

That would be the flexibility to deal a starting pitcher, but the once-hot possibility of sending Kirk McCaskill to Philadelphia for Von Hayes apparently has fizzled. Port said Thursday, “Nothing is doing with Philly.” He added that no other deals appear imminent.

Smithson, whose best season was 1984, when he was 15-13 with a 3.68 ERA for Minnesota, acknowledged that he had wanted to remain with the Red Sox and was surprised to discover that the signing did not go routinely.

“It was my understanding that my agent had discussed the deadline with them, but I think the Red Sox got all hooked up with signing Jeff Reardon and with trying to sign Kent Hrbek,” Smithson said from his home in Nashville, Tenn. “They probably just forgot about my contract. I really didn’t market myself at the winter meetings because I thought I was going to be back with the Red Sox.”