Rangers Sign Bobby Witt for $7.3 Million

Three pitchers--Bobby Witt of Texas, Joe Magrane of St. Louis and Jim Deshaies of Houston--avoided arbitration by signing contracts for the 1991 season.

Witt, who had a 12-game winning streak last season, agreed to a three-year contract worth $7.3 million. He was 17-10 and had the longest winning streak in the major leagues since Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox went 14-0 to start the 1986 season. Witt’s 221 strikeouts were second in the American League behind teammate Nolan Ryan’s 232.

Left-hander Magrane, who slumped to a 10-17 record last season, signed a one-year contract worth $1.025 million. He was seeking $1.15 million, and the Cardinals offered $900,000. Last season, he made $315,000.

Deshaies, who was 7-12 last season, agreed to a one-year, $2.1-million contract, with bonus options up to $125,000. The left-hander, who made $1.075 million in 1990, sought $2.4 million, and the Astros at first offered $1.8 million.