BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Joyner Talks Delayed Till After Season

The Angels are willing to begin contract talks with free agent-to-be Wally Joyner, the sides agreed to put off talks until the season is over.

Michael Watkins, one of Joyner’s representatives, said talking now might be distracting to Joyner, who likes to be actively involved in contract negotiations. Despite a recent drop in his batting average, Joyner is enjoying his best season since 1987. The 29-year-old first baseman entered Wednesday’s game with a .294 batting average, 21 home runs and a team-leading 87 runs batted in.

Fernando Valenzuela’s agent, Tony DeMarco, intends to ask the Angels to release the pitcher from his minor league contract.

Valenzuela, who spent the last six weeks of the season with Edmonton, wasn’t recalled when rosters were expanded to 40 on Sept. 1. He was 0-2 with a 12.15 earned-run average in two starts for the Angels in June, and more recently was 3-3 with a 7.12 ERA for Edmonton.

Angel Senior Vice President Dan O’Brien said last week the chances of Valenzuela being invited to spring training are “remote” and that he would release the left-hander if asked.

Dan Grigsby, who represents shortstop Dick Schofield, said he has had no contract discussions with the Angels since last March.

“I think he’d like to stay with the Angels, but I don’t think it’s upsetting that there haven’t been talks,” Grigsby said. “It would be a vote of confidence if they were to come to Dick and it would be nice to hear they wanted him, but we haven’t heard whether they do or don’t. Perhaps they’re still evaluating.”