Angels, Velarde Close to Deal : Baseball: Free-agent infielder, barring any unforeseen snags, could sign three-year, $2.4-million contract as early as today. Yankees also in the mix.

Free-agent infielder Randy Velarde is on the verge of signing a three-year contract with the Angels that would pay him $800,000 a year.

Velarde, 33, who has played his entire nine-year career with the New York Yankees, said he thought the deal would be completed Tuesday, “but there was a minor kink in the contract that we’re going to go over [Tuesday night].”

Velarde, who hit .278 with 19 doubles, seven homers and 46 runs batted in last season, said he expects to sign with the Angels today, “unless something goes 180 degrees.”

Adam Katz, the agent representing Velarde, would not discuss details of the deal, but said he is in “serious discussions” with two teams, the Angels and Yankees, “and we’re going to decide very quickly.”

Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi confirmed that the team is interested in Velarde but would not comment on negotiations. If the Angels sign Velarde and the Yankees offer him arbitration by Dec. 7, the Angels would have to give a second-round draft pick to the Yankees as compensation.

Velarde, who has gained a reputation as one of baseball’s best utility players, said he chose the Angels because they offered what the Yankees were never able to provide--an every-day job.

“It’s time for me to move on,” Velarde said by phone from his home in Midland, Tex. “I think I’ve played my way into a position where I can help on an every-day basis. I’ve put in enough time to show general managers that I need to play every day.”

Velarde can play all infield positions and the corner outfield positions but will play either second base or third with the Angels, who are not expected to re-sign free-agent third baseman Tony Phillips and have not been thrilled with the offensive play of second baseman Damion Easley.

“I was told I’d be playing second base,” Velarde said. “I consider myself a more productive player at second, because when you think of a corner infielder you think of a home run-hitting, run-producing guy, and that’s not me. But who knows? I might be doing what I did with the Yankees--playing everywhere.”

Velarde, who made $500,000 in 1995--$350,000 in base salary and $150,000 in incentives, would give the Angels offensive flexibility as well.

He usually hit at the bottom of the order in New York, but he would be a good No. 2-type hitter who can bunt and hit to the opposite field, and his .375 on-base percentage could be an attractive alternative in the leadoff spot if Phillips is not re-signed.