Fraser Signs; Arbitration Off for Minton

The Angels sidestepped two arbitration hearings Thursday, signing relief pitcher Willie Fraser and announcing that they would not go to arbitration with reliever Greg Minton.

Fraser, who had filed at $430,000 after the Angels had offered $350,000, agreed to a one-year contract believed to be worth $400,000. Fraser, a 25-year-old right-hander, had a 4-7 record with a 3.24 earned-run average and two saves in 44 games in 1989, when he earned $200,000.

Minton, 38, has 10 days to declare free agency or negotiate with the Angels. He earned $630,000 plus $100,000 in bonuses last season, when he was 4-3 with a 2.20 ERA and had eight saves in 62 games. He had filed at $1,150,000, and the Angels had offered $780,000.

All nine Angels who filed for arbitration last year settled before their hearings. But because of the record high salaries awarded this winter, some players may go through arbitration in hopes that arbitrators will favor the players over the clubs. Arbitrators must choose either the figure submitted by the club or the player.