Angels Offer Contract to Free-Agent Reliever Olson

The Angels offered free-agent bullpen stopper Gregg Olson an incentive-laden, multiyear contract proposal that would make him one of their three highest-paid players.

Jeff Moorad, Olson’s agent, was presented with a proposal Friday that would pay Olson close to $3.5 million if he stays healthy in 1994. The offer was made by Angel President Richard Brown, General Manager Whitey Herzog and assistant Bill Bavasi in a one-hour meeting at Anaheim Stadium, and discussions are expected to continue next week.

“We’ve put together a beginning package,” Bavasi said, “and we’ll talk again next week.”

Olson, who earned $2.35 million last season and became a free agent Dec. 20 when the Orioles did not tender a contract to avert salary arbitration, also is being pursued by the Braves, Blue Jays and Phillies.

Olson, who saved 29 games last season with a 1.60 earned-run average, is expected to be offered incentive-laden deals by each of the interested clubs because of a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow. Although he missed 38 games in August and September last season, Olson was pronounced fit this week after an examination by Dr. James Andrews.

“To me, he’s one of the premier relief pitchers in baseball,” Herzog said.

Also Friday, the Angels announced that tickets for spring training games at Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., would go on sale today through all Ticketmaster outlets and Dillard’s department stores. Tickets range from $3 to $8.