Welch Files for Free Agency; Jack Clark Offered Arbitration

Bob Welch of the Oakland Athletics, the first 27-game winner in the major leagues since Steve Carlton 18 years ago, filed for free agency Thursday.

Among the others filing were Juan Agosto of Houston, Tom Browning and Rick Mahler of Cincinnati, Randy Bush of Minnesota, Don Carman of Philadelphia, Ron Kittle of Baltimore and Dave Schmidt of Montreal. That puts the total of players filing for free agency at 59. The Orioles have until Dec. 15 to exercise a 1991 option on Kittle.

The San Diego Padres prevented first baseman Jack Clark from becoming a free agent by offering him salary arbitration.

Also, Jack Morris’ agent said that the pitcher did not exercise his $2.1-million option for 1991 so as not to jeopardize his position in the third collusion case. The Tigers had offered him arbitration.