Angels Sign Langston to Three-Year Extension

The Angels have had this bizarre history of allowing marquee pitchers to walk away from their organization, only to be left looking foolish the minute they leave.

Thursday, they decided to change that reputation by signing All-Star starter Mark Langston to a three-year contract extension for $14 million.

The contract, which was completed during a 90-minute meeting with agent Arn Tellem and General Manager Bill Bavasi, stipulates that Langston will be paid $5 million in 1995, $5 million in 1996, and $4 million in 1997. He is eligible to earn $1 million in incentives in 1997, and cannot be traded without his permission for the duration of the contract.

The contract not only prevents Langston from leaving as a free agent at the season’s conclusion, but significantly changes the perception of the Angels and their budgetary cutbacks. Perhaps they never again will unload Gene Autry’s saddlebags in the free-agent marketplace, but they will spend money to keep talent.

“I think this sends a message to everyone on our club that they’re just not going to let people slip away as free agents anymore,” Langston said. “Hopefully, we can take care of things and keep the young players around.

“I really want to see this thing through.”

The Angels, who have been ridiculed the last few years for their drastic payroll reduction, also are on the verge of signing right fielder Tim Salmon to a four-year contract that could pay him about $7 million.

“We couldn’t be happier with what’s going on around here,” Angel first baseman J.T. Snow said. “I think it shows this organization is really committed to winning, and Mark proved that by staying.”

Langston, who signed a five-year, $16-million contract with the Angels in 1989 as a free agent, had little reason to believe he’d return after this season. Although he never wanted to leave Southern California, and had a no-trade provision, he engaged in a bitter argument in November with Whitey Herzog. He was told to seek a contract with any team, and Herzog would accommodate him by trading him.

Langston discussed long-term contracts with the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox during the winter, but in his heart, he wanted to stay. It was only after Herzog’s resignation as general manager in January--and the subsequent promotion of Bavasi--that Langston knew he would stay.

“If there hadn’t been a change,” Langston said, “I don’t know if this is where I would have wanted to be. But that all changed when they made the moves in the front office.

“Things moved pretty quickly after that.”

The Angels had offered Langston a two-year contract while Herzog was in office, and Langston requested a four-year deal. They compromised Thursday, and the Angels believe they have retained the finest left-handed starter in the American League.

Langston, 16-11 with a 3.20 earned-run average last season, has won at least 15 games in five seasons. He also is the only active major league pitcher who has thrown least 223 innings in each of the last eight seasons.

“I signed this with the thinking that it will be my last contract,” Langston said. “And believe me, it’s a comfortable feeling knowing that I’m going to be here.

“Hopefully, I’ll be part of something special here.”

* SPRING TRAINING OPENS

The Angels, with newcomer Bo Jackson, opened spring training in Tempe, Ariz. A1