BASEBALL : Angels, Finley Agree to Terms

The Angels agreed to terms Thursday with left-handed pitcher Chuck Finley on a three-year, $12-million contract. The club holds an option on a fourth year that could make the deal worth as much as $18 million.

Now, the Angels will try to sign left-hander Jim Abbott before Monday or risk losing the right to negotiate with him until May 1.

General Manager Bill Bavasi said he believes a deal can also be struck with Abbott.

Finley, 33, has spent his 10 years in the major leagues with the Angels. Only right-hander Nolan Ryan has more victories, 138, as an Angel. Finley is 114-98 with a 3.58 earned-run average in 309 games.

“I had every intention of staying here,” said Finley, who was 15-12 with a 4.12 ERA last season.

Finley will earn $3 million this season, $4 million in 1997 and $5 million in 1998. The option year calls for at least $5 million, but could go as high as $6 million if Finley pitches 200 innings in 1996, ’97 and ’98.

Abbott, 28, rejoined the Angels in a July 27 trade that sent four minor leaguers to the Chicago White Sox. He was 5-4 with a 4.15 ERA in 13 starts for the Angels and 11-8 with a 3.70 ERA overall.