Angels Say They’ll Pass on Bonilla in Bidding War

Although admittedly eager to sign free agent Bobby Bonilla, Angel President Richard Brown said Tuesday the club will not become involved in an auction for the outfielder’s services.

Bonilla, who hit .302 for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season with 18 home runs and 100 runs batted in, is expected to sign a contract with an average annual salary of $5 million. The New York Mets reportedly are willing to offer the New York native $28 million for five years, a figure that might price Bonilla, 28, out of most clubs’ plans.

Brown declined to say whether a five-year contract worth at least $25 million would be too expensive for the Angels. Bonilla and his agent, Dennis Gilbert, are due to visit Anaheim Thursday for a meeting with Angel Senior Vice President Whitey Herzog; Angel executives will meet separately this week to discuss personnel moves.

“In our own minds, we have determined what Bobby Bonilla’s worth is, and if he’s beyond that range we will walk away from that,” Brown said. “He certainly is one of the picks of the litter. We’d love to have him because of what he can do and first and foremost, because of his personality. . . . Every player has a range. We know what his range is and if we can get him within that range, terrific. We won’t allow ourselves to get into a bidding war.”

Brown declined to say how high the Angels would go to secure Bonilla or Danny Tartabull, another premier free agent who has captured the Angels’ interest. “It’s a poker game. You don’t want to reveal your hand,” Brown said.

“A lot of people interest us, but right now we’re taking it one step at a time. Bonilla interests us tremendously but we have a finite amount of money to spend. We’d love to sign Bonilla and Tartabull, but I don’t think we can afford both. That would certainly exceed the amount of money we have in the bank. The Angels are not going to go after anyone with an open checkbook. . . .

“Bobby Bonilla wants a lot of money and he’s entitled to a lot of money. But he’s got to factor in other things, like the organization and the community he’s going to live in.”

Brown reiterated that re-signing first baseman Wally Joyner, shortstop Dick Schofield and pitcher Kirk McCaskill is the club’s priority. Joyner is the key figure because his return--or departure--would change the Angels’ needs in the free agent market.

“Wally Joyner’s situation right now is critical to us, because if Wally Joyner goes elsewhere, that creates a big hole,” Brown said.

Joyner said Tuesday an agreement with the Angels “looks closer,” but said he’s still considerting other teams.

Brown said, however, “a lot of progress needs to be made” with Schofield, whose agent said Monday he hadn’t spoken with the Angels since Oct. 18. Brown said negotiations with McCaskill have been delayed because McCaskill’s agent, Marvin Demoff, has been out of town.

Brown is a longtime friend of Gilbert, who represents Bonilla and Tartabull, but Brown doesn’t expect that to give him an edge. “All our friendship means is that Dennis will take my calls,” Brown said.