Angels Sign Valenzuela to 1-Year Deal

The Angels, hoping to revive Fernandomania and the pitching career of the man who inspired it, agreed to contract terms with Fernando Valenzuela on Monday, almost two months after the Dodgers cast him off following a dismal spring training.

Valenzuela, 30, agreed to an incentive-laden, one-year contract that calls for him to make as many as three minor-league starts before pitching in the major leagues again.

“We are hopeful this is the beginning of a new chapter in the Fernando Valenzuela legacy,” said Richard M. Brown, club president and CEO.

Valenzuela, who was not present for the team’s announcement, is scheduled to make his first start Wednesday in Palm Springs, with the Angels’ single-A team.

The Angels said an evaluation of whether to bring Valenzuela to the major leagues will be made after three starts, possibly sooner, and if there is a disagreement as to whether he is ready, the contract could be terminated.

Valenzuela’s agents said he will be back in the major leagues after no more than three starts.

“He’ll be here the day after the third start,” said Dick Moss, who represents Valenzuela along with Tony DeMarco.

Dan O’Brien, senior vice president for baseball operations, attributed Moss’ statement to the agent’s confidence in Valenzuela.

The contract, which includes a club option for 1992, is believed to be worth between $1 million and $1.25 million, provided Valenzuela meets all incentives, which account for approximately 25% of that amount. The other 75% is in three tiers, based on advancing from the minors to the major league club and whether he is still with the team in July.

Valenzuela was paid $630,494 by the Dodgers after they released him on March 29. Had he remained with the Dodgers, his full salary would have been $2.55 million.

The Angels said they were confident of Valenzuela’s physical condition, although they had not seen him pitch.

“We have no questions at all,” O’Brien said in reference to Valenzuela’s physical condition. “I know he’s a winning pitcher. Historically he’s been very successful. There’s no reason he can’t be here.”

The Dodgers released Valenzuela when he failed to make their rotation after going 1-2 with a 7.88 earned-run average in four spring training starts.

Valenzuela pitched a no-hitter last June 29, the first of his career, but finished with a 4.59 ERA, the worst of any regular National League starter.

Many believed he never recovered from a shoulder injury he suffered in 1988, and others questioned whether his diminished performance was the result of the many innings he pitched every season--2,348 2/3 in 10 full major league seasons.

The pitcher had been a free agent since shortly after being released by the Dodgers and had hoped to find a place on a major league team before now. He stayed in shape by pitching in an undisclosed city park, recruiting friends to catch for him. His willingness to prove himself in the minors and to sign a less lucrative contract were apparently critical factors in the Angels’ decision to sign him.

“The figures bandied around in March and April were not acceptable,” Brown said. “Perhaps Fernando realized they were a little high, and that he could prove himself.”

The Angels also hope that Valenzuela’s return sparks a revival of the fervor that swept Dodger Stadium for the Mexican pitcher, who in 1981 became the first player to capture Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season. His popularity resulted in swarms of eager fans each time he pitched.

“When we look for a ballplayer, it is absolutely essential we feel he can contribute to bringing this team a pennant,” Brown said. “The fact that he will attract the Hispanic community is a very pleasant byproduct. It is not the reason we signed him,” Brown said.

Should Valenzuela make a return to the major leagues, where he has a record of 141-116 in slightly more than 10 seasons with the Dodgers, it would knock one of the Angels’ starters from the rotation, conceiveably giving the team four left-handers in the rotation, an oddity.

Manager Doug Rader, acknowledging that the signing of Valenzuela could “cast aspersions” on members of the current staff, said he preferred to refrain from speculation.

Scott Lewis, a rookie right-hander who is the Angels’ fifth starter and who has a record of 1-4 with a 6.21 ERA, could make the inference on his own.

“It probably means I have to get it in gear or suffer the consequences,” Lewis said. “There’s nothing I can do. I just have to go out and win, and if the cards start falling my way, I think everything will be OK.”

Valenzuela, who left Anaheim Stadium early Monday afternoon before the agreement was finalized, was unavailable for comment, but DeMarco said the pitcher is “very, very pleased,” and called the Angels the “ideal” team for his return.

DeMarco also said Valenzuela didn’t harbor hard feelings toward the Dodgers, calling their decision “business.”

The Dodgers, in Houston to play the Astros, expressed pleasure about the news of his signing.

“I’m very happy for Fernando,” said Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda. “I thank him for the memories.”

Mike Scioscia, the Dodger catcher, expressed confidence in Valenzuela.

“I’m very glad, but I’m wondering what took so long,” Scioscia said.

Times staff writers Bill Plaschke, Mike DiGiovanna and Mike Penner contributed to this story.