Witt Signs With Angels; Joyner Seeks $1.75 Million in Arbitration

Ten Angels joined first baseman Wally Joyner, who had filed previously, in submitting for arbitration before Tuesday’s deadline, but the club came to terms with pitcher Mike Witt, who was also eligible.

Witt signed a one-year contract, but the financial details were unavailable.

The 29-year-old right-hander made $1.4 million in his ninth season with the team, going 9-15 with a 4.54 earned-run average. The Angels’ recent signing of free-agent pitcher Mark Langston and Witt’s declining statistics over the past three years have made him the subject of several trade rumors, the most recent involving outfielder Von Hayes of the Philadelphia Phillies and outfielder Tim Raines of the Montreal Expos.

It was disclosed that Joyner, who filed for arbitration Thursday, will be seeking an $830,000 raise to $1.75 million at an arbitration hearing in February. The Angels have countered with an arbitration offer of $1.225 million. The arbitrator can choose only between the two, but the player and his club can continue to negotiate until the hearing begins.

Michael Watkins, who represents Joyner in association with attorney Barry Axelrod, said the $1.75 million was a fair market figure that could be defended comfortably in an arbitration hearing. He pointed out that Joyner filed for arbitration last year, then settled at $920,000 before the hearing.

“We have nothing scheduled, but given that history, I’d say we will probably meet with the Angels again (before the hearing),” Watkins said.

The 10 Angels who filed Tuesday will exchange figures with the club Friday. They are Scott Bailes, Chuck Finley, Willie Fraser, Jack Howell, Kirk McCaskill, Bob McClure, Greg Minton, Bill Schroeder, Max Venable and Devon White.

Five Dodgers also filed Tuesday. They are Kal Daniels, Rick Dempsey, Jeff Hamilton, Ray Searage and Franklin Stubbs.