BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Curtis Wants to Sign and Play Ball

The Angels are trying to sign center fielder Chad Curtis to a three-year contract.

Curtis, who had stolen 91 bases in his first two major league seasons, is hoping to reach an agreement by Thursday that will give him in excess of $5 million.

“It’s nice to be appreciated,” Curtis said Friday at Tempe, Ariz., “but I would like to get this whole business over with and just play ball.”

Curtis would be sacrificing two years of arbitration eligibility by signing the contract.

The Angels signed third baseman Damion Easley to a one-year contract earlier in the day, and exchanged contract proposals with right fielder Tim Salmon on a four-year contract. They continue to negotiate one-year contracts with shortstop Gary DiSarcina and reliever Mike Butcher.

*

It was one of the most awkward experiences of veteran reliever Lee Guetterman’s career, but Friday morning, there was is reward--an empty locker awaiting his arrival.

Guetterman, 35, who couldn’t find a general manager to return his calls, much less offer him a job, decided to go about business the old-fashioned way.

“I didn’t get a yes on the phone,” Guetterman said, “so I decided to make some personal appearances.”

Guetterman spent his own money for a flight from his Knoxville, Tenn., home to Phoenix. He gave the Angels a call Wednesday, worked out for 20 minutes Thursday and was spending his first day on the job Friday.

“It’s something I had never done before,” Guetterman said, “It was like going out and finding a job. Believe me, it’s an experience I’ll always remember.”

*

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said that barring the unexpected, Bo Jackson will make the opening-day roster. The final outfield job, he said, likely will be up for grabs between Dwight Smith and rookie Jim Edmonds.....Easly, who missed the final two months of last season because of surgery on his right leg to correct tibial stress syndrome, said he is feeling no ill effects while playing third base....If Kevin Flora wins the starting job at second base, Rodgers said he will decide between Torey Lovullo, Rod Correla and Mike Brumley for the final utility infield position. Spike Owen already is assured of at least one of the utility jobs....The Angels are planning to open the season with 10 pitchers, allowing Rodgers to retain a third catcher, either Mark Dalesandro or Edmonds....Designated hitter Chili Davis is scheduled to arrive in camp today.