Real Dodger, Angel Players Ready to Go : Baseball: Butler says he’ll sign for $3.5 million; Langston is confident--but concerned.

There was jubilation among Dodger players, hope muted by concern among Angels Friday in the wake of a possible break in baseball’s ongoing labor dispute.

Free-agent outfielder Brett Butler told the Dodgers that he would sign his $3.5-million contract offer and would report to Dodgertown next week. Dodger first baseman Eric Karros and catcher Mike Piazza also were eagerly preparing to play baseball again.

But Angel pitcher and player representative Mark Langston said he was still a bit leery about jumping the gun. And other Angels were in a less celebratory mood.

“We shouldn’t be looking toward victories,” said Angel pitcher Joe Magrane, who is hoping to rebound from an injury-plagued 1994 season. “There still isn’t a deal done, and fans are still ticked off about the situation. I don’t know if it’s proper to celebrate this ruling.

“Until there’s a final decree that we report to Phoenix within 48 hours, I’ll reserve judgment. But it sure looks a heck of a lot better now than it did before.”

Langston said he was “very confident” that major leaguers would be back in spring training some time next week but said he is concerned about Sunday’s meeting of owners in Chicago, where a lockout might be considered.

Angel first baseman J.T. Snow said: “It’s pleasing, but ultimately we have to get a deal done, because if we just play this season under the old rules, after the season, we’ll be right back to where we are now.”

Karros canceled his plane reservations to Seattle to catch the men’s Final Four, and instead will root for UCLA from his Manhattan Beach living room.

Piazza telephoned his travel agent and changed his flight reservations to Florida for this weekend.

The moment U.S. District Judge Sonia Sotomayor issued a preliminary injunction against the owners Friday, major leaguers ended their 7 1/2-month strike, and phones and fax machines began ringing.

Agent Dick Moss, who had attended the court hearing, immediately returned to his office and faxed Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, a letter officially accepting their $3.5-million offer to Butler.

“The offer was on the table the whole time,” Moss said. “We told (Claire) that it would be accepted once the (Player Relations Committee) ban was lifted. When Judge Sotomayor made her ruling, and the strike was over, I let Fred know that Brett was signing.”

Maybe. The Dodgers had said a week ago that they were rescinding the $3.5-million offer, although they still hoped to sign Butler.

Claire said Friday: “My view is that we simply have to wait and see what develops in very uncertain times.”

Whatever happens with Butler, at least three Dodgers--Piazza, Karros and left fielder Billy Ashley--are planning to congregate in Vero Beach, Fla., as quickly as possible.

“I’m going to change my ticket right now,” Piazza said. “I can’t believe it. It seems weird, after all this time, we’re finally going to be playing again. I don’t know how to react.

“I already got a call from (batting coach) Reggie Smith, and we’re ready to go. You don’t want to pop any champagne corks yet, but if everything goes OK, I’ll be there by Tuesday.”

Karros and Ashley were working out together Friday when they received the news from third baseman Sean Berry of the Montreal Expos.

“We were hitting in the cages when he told us,” Ashley said, “but we didn’t believe him. It wasn’t until we heard it on the radio that we finally knew he was telling us the truth.”

Still, the players’ enthusiasm was tempered because there is no agreement, and no one knows whether the owners plan to delay the season or impose a lockout.

“The court’s ruling, which will be appealed next week, is a setback to the collective bargaining process,” Dodger President Peter O’Malley said in a prepared statement, “and will not settle the dispute. It also does not give the fans the assurance that we will have a complete season in 1995.

“Only a negotiated agreement and a partnership with the players will restore the game to the fans with long-term stability. I am hopeful that the parties will continue to negotiate until such an agreement is reached.”

Dodger replacement players are less than 48 hours away from receiving $25,000 in severance pay and an opening-day bonus, and now it all may be taken away.

“This whole thing has been a trip,” said replacement pitcher Tom McCarthy, who is scheduled to be the opening-day starter. “I wish it wouldn’t have lasted this long if it was going to end like this.”

Said Dodger third baseman Tim Wallach: “I hope these guys enjoy it, because this is the only time they’ll sniff (the major leagues).

“We’re ready to go.”

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* PLAYERS END STRIKE

Union makes an offer to return, but owners may vote for a lockout. A1