Daniels Eyes the Marketplace, Agrees to Contract for $600,000

Kal Daniels, stung by lower salaries recently given to comparable players, settled his differences with the Dodgers and avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $600,000.

In compromising between his request for $700,000 and the Dodgers’ offer of $550,000, the outfielder was influenced by the marketplace.

Late last week, Cleveland outfielder Chris James, who has comparable experience and statistics, signed for $560,000. Earlier this week, Angel outfielder Devon White lost an arbitration decision and was awarded $580,000.

“The White case was the real killer for us,” said Lou Oppenheim, Daniels’ agent. “White even has better numbers than Kal, and when a guy with better numbers signs for less money than you are asking, you are in trouble.

“So actually, Kal is pleased. We feel good getting what we got.”

Daniels, who was traded to the Dodgers by Cincinnati July 18, played in 11 games here because of a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. In 38 at-bats, he hit .342 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. Daniels says he is running and is ready for spring training.

Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, now will try to sign players with fewer than three years’ experience. At the top of that list is pitcher Tim Belcher, who played for $225,000 last season but will be seeking nearly $1 million.