BASEBALL : Santiago and Reynolds Find New Homes

Benito Santiago, Harold Reynolds, Candy Maldonado and Juan Samuel agreed to terms with new teams as Wade Boggs got closer to making a deal.

Santiago, an All-Star catcher for the San Diego Padres, agreed to terms with the Florida Marlins late Friday. The one-year deal is for $3.3 million, plus $500,000 in incentives.

Second baseman Reynolds, a two-time All-Star, agreed on a $1.65-million, one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who released Bill Ripken.

Reynolds, 32, has a .260 career average in 10 major league seasons, all with the Seattle Mariners. He has 208 career steals and has often been among the league leaders in triples.

The switch hitter batted .247 last year in 140 games, the fewest he has played since 1986.

“He gives me some maneuverability because of the way he handles the bat,” Oriole Manager John Oates said.

“I’m elated. I can’t really put it into words,” Reynolds said.

He had some negotiations with the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds but chose the Orioles because: “I think they are real close to winning. I think I was the perfect fit.”

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Maldonado agreed with the Chicago Cubs on a $3.5-million, two-year contract.

Maldonado gets a $200,000 signing bonus and $1.55-million salaries for each of the next two seasons, and the chance to make $100,000 a year in performance bonuses. The Cubs have an option for 1995 at $2 million with a $200,000 buyout.

In 137 games for Toronto last season, Maldonado batted .272 with 25 doubles, 20 home runs and 66 runs batted in.

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Samuel signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati. His one-year, guaranteed contract with triple-A Indianapolis is for $700,000, and Samuel will be invited to the Reds’ spring training camp as a nonroster player.

Samuel, 32, has played 10 seasons in the major leagues and has a career batting average of .260.

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The New York Yankees offered Boggs a three-year contract, estimated at between $11 and $12 million. The Dodgers, who have shown an interest in the third baseman, talked with Boggs’ agent, Alan Nero, again on Friday, but did not make an offer.

Boggs is seeking a four-year contract and the Dodgers have indicated they want two years. Nero said that “all things being equal,” Boggs would prefer to remain in the American League.