Finley, Schroeder Meet Angels Halfway, Avoid Arbitration

Instead of giving baseball’s wheel of fortune another spin and going for an arbitration jackpot, Angel pitcher Chuck Finley played it safe Thursday, accepting a one-year, $725,000 contract.

The 27-year-old left-hander earned $180,000 last season and filed for arbitration at $810,000. The Angels offered $600,000.

Catcher Bill Schroeder also passed on arbitration and agreed to a one-year deal for $407,000 plus incentives. Schroeder, who played in 41 games last season as Lance Parrish’s backup, filed at $515,000 against the Angels’ $372,500, the same figure he earned last season. Finley compiled a career-best record of 16-9 last season with a team-high 156 strikeouts in 199 2/3 innings. He ranked second on the team in victories to Bert Blyleven, who had 17, and was named to the American League All-Star team.

Finley’s 2.57 earned-run average was second in the league to Kansas City Royal Bret Saberhagen’s 2.16, and his nine complete games ranked third in the league, behind Saberhagen (12) and Detroit Tiger Jack Morris (10).

The agreements with Finley and Schroeder reduced to six the number of Angels scheduled to go through arbitration hearings.

Still scheduled for hearings are pitchers Scott Bailes, Kirk McCaskill and Bob McClure; third baseman Jack Howell; first baseman Wally Joyner and center fielder Devon White.