Gaetti Says Severing Ties to Twins ‘Not as Frightening’

Severing his ties to the Minnesota Twins “is more likely and not as frightening” for Gary Gaetti as it was a few years ago, but the free-agent third baseman said Monday he hasn’t decided whether the Angels’ four-year, $10.8-million offer is enough to lure him away.

Gaetti, who has 201 home runs and 758 RBIs for the Twins in slightly more than nine seasons, had a falling out with Manager Tom Kelly last season after Kelly publicly criticized Gaetti’s run production. That rift, coupled with a Minnesota offer that falls far short of the Angels’ bid, could persuade the two-time All-Star to depart. As a new-look free agent, Gaetti has until Jan. 29 to re-sign with Minnesota or sign with another team.

The Twins have offered the .256 career hitter $7 million over three years, but that amount includes deferred payments and incentive clauses. In addition, payment would be guaranteed for a fourth season only if Gaetti meets certain performance standards in the third season of the contract. The Angels’ offer is guaranteed for four years.

“I’m quite flattered at the Angels’ offer and the interest they have in me,” Gaetti said by telephone from his Twin Cities home. “With the Twins, it gets a little more complicated. It’s kind of like a word game. . . . There’s a lot of things for me to consider, with my kids in school here. I’ve been here nine years. Do you want to get up and leave and go somewhere that you may not know everything about? That’s part of the consideration. But sometimes things change. I will say it’s more likely and not as frightening thinking about leaving Minnesota now.”

After hearing Gaetti criticize the Anaheim Stadium infield, the Angels have promised to change the dirt and improve the surface. “We’re not going to lose a player over our infield,” club President Richard Brown said last week. “He did say he has a problem with our infield and if it can be corrected, it will be.”

That comment drew a laugh from Gaetti. “Richard Brown is not going to be the one out there with the rake,” Gaetti said.

“That’s just one of the things you have to consider, whether you like hitting there, playing defense there. I see the ball pretty good there. Their pitching staff has been quite tough on me and the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Twins haven’t enjoyed much success there. Attendance is great there and the weather is exceptional. There’s a lot of pluses (for the Angels).”

Gaetti’s agent, Jim Bronner, said from his Chicago office he had spoken Monday with the Angels and will speak with them again this week. Talks were adjourned for two weeks while Bronner took a skiing vacation. “I don’t have any doubt that they’re really serious,” Bronner said. He declined to predict whether Gaetti will make a decision before Jan. 29.

Brown reiterated his eagerness to sign Gaetti and said he hoped talks would resume in earnest “because as long as you’re talking, it’s healthy. When it’s silent, it’s always a concern.”

Brown also said he expects Chili Davis, another new-look free agent, to remain with the Angels under the terms of his current contract. Davis is under contract for 1991 at $1,450,000.

“The ball is in his court,” Brown said. “He can remain an Angel or go elsewhere. As far as we’re concerned, he will be back at his predetermined salary for 1991. . . . The salary he’s earning now, we consider that contract sacrosanct. That contract is still in effect.”