Johnson Will Be Back With Orioles

Davey Johnson will be back to manage the Baltimore Orioles in 1997, even though he did some things owner Peter Angelos didn’t like.

Angelos said Thursday that he was annoyed by Johnson’s tendency to criticize some players through the media, and the owner wondered why the manager openly talked about shearing the $50-million player payroll. But he said Johnson will fulfill the second year of his three-year contract.

“There has been absolutely no indication that he’s not coming back,” Angelos said in a telephone interview. “It would be economically foolish for him to walk away. Plus, there’s nothing Davey Johnson wants to do more than manage the Baltimore Orioles.”

Johnson led Baltimore to an 88-74 record and its first playoff appearance in 13 seasons. The Orioles then upset the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Yankees in the championship series.

Johnson, in Thursday’s editions of the Washington Post, finally confirmed his intention to return, saying, “I’m coming back. I don’t think that was ever in question.”

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Outfielder Bernard Gilkey, who had a career season in 1996, agreed to a $20.4-million, four-year contract with the New York Mets that includes a team option that could increase the value to $25 million. Gilkey batted .317 with 44 doubles, three triples, 30 home runs, 117 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. . . . The San Diego Padres agreed to terms with infielder Archi Cianfrocco on a one-year contract for the 1997 season. . . . The Boston Red Sox promoted former Angel executive Mike Port to vice president of baseball operations, putting him in charge of player salary negotiations.