Finley Gets Deal Worth $2.5 Million

Money didn’t grow on the trees Chuck Finley tended each summer on his father’s farm and nursery in Monroe, La. Finley went to the big leagues to seek his fortune, and he found it Thursday when he agreed to a one-year contract with the Angels that will pay him $2.5 million.

Finley, whose 34 victories the past two seasons were the most by an Angel pitcher, agreed to terms shortly before his scheduled arbitration hearing in Chicago. He filed seeking $2.8 million, compared with the Angels’ offer of $1.75 million.

Finley, a 28-year-old left-hander, had a strong case. He led the Angels with 18 victories last season, finished second in the American League only to Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox with an earned-run average of 2.40 and ranked among league leaders in complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts. Finley more than tripled his 1990 earnings. He was paid a $725,000 salary last season and received $75,000 in bonuses.

Finley was returning from Chicago and could not be reached for comment.

“By my judgment, it’s in line with the current market,” Angel General Manager Mike Port said of Finley’s salary. “It is a substantial amount, and given the circumstances (a settlement that seemingly favors Finley), few will appreciate the fine job done by Dan O’Brien.”

O’Brien, the Angels’ senior vice president for baseball operations, handles most of the club’s contract negotiations.

Finley starts 1991 with the fourth-highest Angel salary. Pitcher Mark Langston tops the payroll at $3.25 million, followed by outfielder Dave Winfield at $3.2 million, recent free-agent addition Gary Gaetti at $2.7 million, Finley at $2.5 million and catcher Lance Parrish at $2.25 million.