Valenzuela, Gott Agree to Dodger Contracts

Pitchers Fernando Valenzuela and Jim Gott agreed to contract terms with the Dodgers Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Valenzuela, 13-13 with a 4.59 earned-run average in 1990, will receive $2.55 million in 1991, a compromise between the $2.7 million he had been seeking in arbitration and the $2.4 million offered by the Dodgers. He made $2.2 million last year.

“He’ll be a free agent again at the end of the year and should be in a good bargaining position, since he expects to have an outstanding season with the type club the Dodgers now have,” his agent, Tony DeMarco, said.

Valenzuela’s contract--as well as Gott’s--does not become guaranteed until the start of the season. If cut in spring training, he would receive between one-sixth and one-fourth of his salary, depending on when he was cut.

Valenzuela’s role on the Dodger staff is unclear, but DeMarco said he wasn’t concerned about that aspect because “I’m assuming there’s no problem with Fernando’s position on the club.”

Gott, who came back from arm problems to fashion a 2.90 ERA with three saves and a 3-5 record in 50 appearances, also compromised--at $1.725 million. He had filed at $1.95 million, and the Dodgers had countered at $1.5 million. Gott made $873,913 in salary and incentives last year.

Four Dodgers remain eligible for arbitration--pitcher Tim Belcher, outfielder Kal Daniels, utility player Mickey Hatcher and second baseman Juan Samuel.