Angels Catch Break in Getting Hollins

The Angels, who have long been frustrated in their attempts to woo the fans of Southern California away from the Dodgers, were at least able to beat their rivals for the services of veteran infielder Dave Hollins.

Hollins, who has played on four teams in the last two seasons, signed a two-year contract worth at least $3.8 million with the Angels Wednesday.

“We caught a break because he wanted to stay in the American League,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said. Hollins also said he liked Anaheim Stadium better than Dodger Stadium and “I’ve got a couple of little kids and L.A.’s kind of crazy, so that factored into the decision.”

Hollins, 30, said he told the Angels he prefers to play third base, but Bavasi said the club moved aggressively to sign him because he can also play first.

“Third is where I want to be, but if it gets to the situation that the team needs me [at first], I’ll do what helps the team,” Hollins said. “But third is my best position and I hope they see it that way.”

The signing of Hollins could mean the Angels don’t think third baseman George Arias, 24, who hit .238 with six home runs and 28 runs batted in in 84 games last season, is ready to play every day in the majors. Or they might be hoping to include first baseman J.T. Snow, who hit .257 with 17 homers and 67 RBIs in 1996, in a deal for a starting pitcher. A switch-hitter, Snow hit only .199 right-handed last season.

“The guy has versatility and where he plays and how much Arias plays depends on the players,” Bavasi said. “We’ll let them answer that question in spring training. [Manager] Terry [Collins] will use him as he sees fit.”

Hollins, an intense competitor, should have no trouble meshing with Collins’ fiery managerial style.

“He brings a lot of intangibles to the clubhouse,” Collins said.

Said Hollins: “I’ll stir some things up in there. I’m not a rah-rah guy, but I’m serious about the game. As long as everyone’s busting their [butt], fine, but if guys are losing focus, sometimes things have to be said. I don’t like losing.”

Hollins’ last two seasons have been marred by injury and illness. He has had operations to remove fractured hamate bones in both hands and discovered he was diabetic. An All-Star and key player on the Phillies’ 1993 World Series team, Hollins underwent surgery on his right hand in 1993, his left in 1994 and the right again in 1995.

“The guy didn’t do it right the first time and that’s probably why I broke the other one, overcompensating,” Hollins said. “But it’s taken care of now and both hands are as strong as ever.”

The Phillies traded him to Boston on July 24, 1995 and he signed with Minnesota as a free agent in December. A switch-hitter, Hollins batted .242 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs before being traded to Seattle Aug. 29, when the Twins brought up Todd Walker, their No. 1 pick in the 1994 draft.

Hollins hit .351 in the final 28 games with Seattle last season.

“At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t used to playing on insulin and I wasn’t eating right before games,” Hollins said. “But I took care of all that and hit .300 after the All-Star break. It all came together, especially in the last couple of months, and I felt like my old self again.”

Hollins will make $1.9 million for first two years and could earn up to $150,000 in incentives based on plate appearances. A third year is the Angels’ option with no buyout clause, unless Hollins gets 550 plate appearances in 1998 or 1,025 over both seasons, which will guarantee a third year at $1.9 million.

Hollins, who made $1.35 million last year, says he is excited about the multiyear deal and believes the Angels have the personnel to contend for the American League West title.

“I’m excited that the Angels were so aggressive in signing me, it makes me feel wanted,” he said. “It was very important for me to stop bouncing around. I get attached to a team and every other team becomes the enemy. It’s nice to get settled in with two years, possibly three, with the same club.

“And I’m very happy to be joining a team that isn’t rebuilding. The Angels have the starting pitching, the closer and a lot of good young hitters.”

Hollins was reminded the Angels finished last this year.

“That is confusing,” he said. “But they have the players there to win.”

Angel Notes

The Angels Wednesday selected the contracts of four minor league players--right-handed pitchers Geoff Edsell and Mike Freehill, left-hander Matt Perisho and catcher Bret Hemphill. Edsell, 24, started the 1996 season at double-A Midland and was promoted to triple-A Vancouver, where he had a 3.43 earned-run average in 15 starts. Freehill, 25, who also split the season between Midland and Vancouver, was named to the Texas League All-Star team before moving up to triple A in June. Perisho, 21, began the year at Class A Lake Elsinore before a promotion to Midland, where he was 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA. Hemphill, 24, hit .263 with 17 homers and 64 RBIs in 108 games at Lake Elsinore.

Times staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this report.

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Newest Angel

The major league career of Dave Hollins, signed Wednesday by the Angels as a free agent.

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YEAR TEAM G HR RBI AVG 90 Phil. 72 5 15 .184 91 Phil. 56 6 21 .298 92 Phil. 156 27 93 .270 93 Phil. 143 18 93 .273 94 Phil. 44 4 26 .222 95 Phil. 65 7 25 .229 Bos. 5 0 1 .154 96 Minn. 121 13 53 .242 Sea. 28 3 25 .351

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Source: Angels