Herzog Agrees to Meet With Tartabull’s Agent

Angel executive Whitey Herzog, whose annoyance with agent Dennis Gilbert led him to say last month that he would negotiate with free-agent outfielder Danny Tartabull “only if he had another agent,” has scheduled a Tuesday meeting with Gilbert, probably at Gilbert’s Beverly Hills office.

That sets the stage for a reconciliation between the two, whose friendship was fractured when Herzog declared that Gilbert falsely told him free agent Bobby Bonilla wanted to play for the Angels.

The Angels’ hopes were boosted Friday when the Chicago White Sox ended their pursuit of Tartabull, who hit .316 for Kansas City last season with 31 home runs and 100 runs batted in. General Manager Ron Schueler said Chicago would not give Tartabull the five-year contract he wants.

Gilbert said the Texas Rangers have made an offer for Tartabull but declined to discuss any other negotiations.

In a move Herzog characterized as “a gamble,” the Angels announced the signing of free-agent pitcher Don Robinson, who last season was 5-9 with a 4.38 earned-run average for the San Francisco Giants, to a one-year contract. Robinson, 34, is guaranteed $900,000 and can increase his earnings to $1.8 million by meeting performance standards.

“I’m not going to say he’s a sure 15-game winner,” Herzog said of Robinson, whose career record is 107-102. “We have to get some numbers and maneuverability. After we lost Kirk McCaskill (to the White Sox, through free agency), I had Don Robinson in mind. I hope he gives us a little more depth and a chance to take McCaskill’s place as a starter.”

Herzog’s willingness to meet with Gilbert, about whom he said three weeks ago “our relationship is, that SOB lied,” stems as much from necessity as contrition.

“I think maybe I was a little tough on him,” Herzog said. “He and I have been friends since he played for Visalia (in the New York Mets’ farm system). Sometimes you have to let bygones be bygones.”

Said Gilbert: “We’ve already reconciled.”