Snow, Edmonds, Percival Get Contracts

The Angels made a major commitment to their future Wednesday, spending about $20 million in guaranteed salaries--and as much as $35 million with options and incentive clauses--to sign center fielder Jim Edmonds, first baseman J.T. Snow and reliever Troy Percival to multiyear contracts.

The deals, negotiated over the winter but in limbo for weeks because of the team’s unresolved ownership situation, could represent the Autry family’s last major moves before turning over controlling interest in the Angels to the Walt Disney Co.

Though General Manager Bill Bavasi said he did not need Disney approval on the contracts, it’s no coincidence the Autrys began to loosen their purse strings as it became more apparent the Disney deal would be consummated.

“The Autrys instructed us a few days ago to finalize these things, and we did,” Bavasi said. “There were difficult circumstances, but the Autrys stepped up when it was important for these players and the franchise that they do so. This is good for the club, because in the long run we’ll save money.”

Edmonds, who hit .290 with 33 home runs and 107 runs batted in last season, signed a four-year contract that will guarantee between $8.2 million and $10 million, depending on how much service time he is credited with from the past two strike-shortened seasons.

An option for a fifth year, which is held by the team but would automatically become effective if certain incentives are met, is worth between $4.6 million and $5.3 million, pushing the total package to a possible $15.3 million.

Snow, who hit .289 with 24 homers and 102 RBIs in 1995, signed a three-year deal that guarantees $6 million and includes a fourth-year option that would increase the package to $8.25 million.

He will make $700,000 this season, $1.8 million in 1997 and $2.75 million in 1998. The Angels can buy out the fourth year for $750,000, or they can pick up the option at $3 million.

Percival, who emerged as one of baseball’s best young relievers, going 3-2 with a 1.95 earned-run average in 1995, signed a four-year, $3.63-million contract, but two option years could push the package to $10.03 million.

He will make $330,000 this season, $650,000 in 1997, $1.1 million in ‘98, $1.55 million in ‘99, and he could make $2.4 million in 2000 and $4 million in 2001.

“As a kid who came to Angel games and watched Rod Carew and Bobby Grich, I can’t even express what this means,” Snow said. “It’s kind of ironic that we’re all Southern California guys who have been coming to Angel games for so long, and now we all know we’re going to be here for a while. We can sort of relax and just go out and play.”

But could security cause the players to relax too much?

“I’m pretty driven--I want to be the best player in the league,” he said. “You always have something to strive for in this game, and money is not the only thing that drives me. I want to be respected, I want to be a guy everyone wants on their team, I want to show my worth.”

With Wednesday’s signings, the Angels, following a course set by the Cleveland Indians, have secured six players--Edmonds, Snow, Percival, Chuck Finley, Jim Abbott and Randy Velarde--through 1998 or beyond. Tim Salmon, Mark Langston and Chili Davis are signed through 1997, and the Angels are negotiating a long-term deal with left fielder Garret Anderson.

“This is a little our idea and a little Cleveland’s idea,” Angel President Richard Brown said. “It’s a good thing for the club and a good thing for the players.”