McCaskill Joins $2-Million Club

Pitcher Kirk McCaskill became the fifth Angel with a 1991 salary of $2 million or more when he agreed to a one-year contract Thursday for $2.1 million, a raise of $1,132,500.

McCaskill could be joined at the $2-million level by first baseman Wally Joyner, who is scheduled to have an arbitration hearing today in Los Angeles. Joyner is seeking $2.1 million, and the Angels filed at $1.65 million, a cut of $100,000 from his 1990 salary.

Also aiming for $2 million is 18-game winner Chuck Finley, who filed at $2.8 million. The Angels filed at $1.75 million. Finley’s hearing is scheduled next week in Chicago.

Already under contract to the Angels at $2 million or more in 1991 are outfielder Dave Winfield, $3.2 million; third baseman Gary Gaetti, $2.7 million; catcher Lance Parrish, $2.25 million; and pitcher Mark Langston, $3.25 million.

McCaskill was 12-11 with a 3.25 earned-run average last season, when he earned $967,500. He underwent surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 4 and said last week the procedure had been so successful, his arm felt “brand new.”

Third baseman Jack Howell and outfielders Luis Polonia and Dave Gallagher also are scheduled for arbitration hearings.

Michael Watkins, who with Barry Axelrod represents Joyner, said the Angels’ latest offer of $1.75 million “isn’t enough.”

The Angels announced that pitchers Jeff Richardson and Cliff Young had agreed to one-year deals.