Grahe Files for Free Agency

Joe Grahe, the man who was projected to replace Bryan Harvey as the Angels’ closer, filed for free agency Monday.

Grahe, who saved 21 games in the 1992 season, saved only 24 games the last two seasons. Grahe was successful in 13 of 19 opportunities last season with an 8.38 earned-run average in save situations.

The Angels removed Grahe from the 40-man roster 10 days ago when they decided he would not be offered a major league contract for 1995. Grahe, who was to be paid $925,000 last season, cleared waivers and was assigned to triple-A Vancouver. Grahe rejected the assignment Monday and informed the Angels that he would opt for free agency.

The Angels hope to replace Grahe with free-agent closer Lee Smith, baseball’s all-time saves leader. The Angels are expected to submit an offer to Smith in the next two weeks.

“The Angels have expressed a lot of interest in Lee,” said Brian David, Smith’s agent. “But then again, so have several teams.”

In other news, the Angels announced they will open their 1995 spring training schedule March 1 against Arizona State, and will conclude their spring with the three-game Freeway Series against the Dodgers, March 31-April 2.

The Freeway Series again will be an inconvenience for the Dodgers, who break camp March 29 in Vero Beach, Fla., only to return to Florida April 4 to open the season against the Marlins in Miami.