Agents: Jackson, Davis Will Consider Playing in Japan

Angel sluggers Bo Jackson and Chili Davis, each of whom could become free agents, will explore the possibility of playing in Japan next season, according to their agents.

“In a weird way, it may be advantageous to be a free agent this year,” said Arn Tellem, Jackson’s agent. “If you don’t have a contract with one club, it gives you the opportunity to go overseas to make a living. We’ll consider all options.

“In fact, I just hired an attorney who speaks Japanese in anticipation of that possibility.”

Tellem also represents Rex Hudler of the Angels and Matt Nokes of the Yankees, who also are eligible for free agency.

Jackson, who earned $1 million last season with the Angels, is expected to file for free agency as soon as baseball stipulates a filing period. He would be an unrestricted free agent.

Davis is eligible for free agency under the old collective bargaining agreement only if the Angels do not offer salary arbitration. His negotiations with the Angels have stalled since the strike. He is seeking a three-year contract for about $4 million a year, while the Angels are countering with a two-year contract and an option.

“Certainly, Japan is a viable option,” said Adam Katz, who along with Tom Reich represents Davis. “Everything is in such a state of disorganization here, it would be nice to be playing baseball somewhere.”

In other news, Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann hired his older brother, Bill Lachemann, 60, and former Angel infielder Rick Burleson, 43, to be on his coaching staff next season.

Bill Lachemann, who has been in the organization for 10 years, will become the bullpen coach. Burleson, who played six years for the Angels and was their minor league base-running instructor last season, will coach third.

Hall of Famer Rod Carew was retained as hitting coach, along with bench coach Bobby Knoop, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and bullpen coach Joe Maddon, who will move to first base.

Third base coach Ken Macha and first base coach Max Oliveras were fired, but were offered positions within the organization as minor league roving coaches. If the Angels had not provided Macha a job, he would have been ineligible to manage the Tempe Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, which includes 12 players from the Angels and Dodgers.

“That showed a lot of class on their part,” Macha said. “At least I’ll still get to manage in Arizona, and hopefully that will allow me to land on my feet.”