Realistic Salmon Amazed by Contract

Tim Salmon has this gee-whiz attitude, so it’s no wonder he finds the figures being discussed in his contract negotiations--a five-year deal expected to be in the $30-million range--mind-boggling.

“The dollars just jump out at you,” said Salmon, who will join teammates today in Tempe, Ariz., for the Angels’ first full-squad workout. “It’s like, ‘Wow!’ The one side of me is kind of in awe of it, but the other side says there’s a marketplace depicting these numbers.

“The bottom line is, I’m not trying to break the bank. I just want a fair deal, and by that I don’t mean fair by the general public’s standards, but fair for this market.”

Salmon, who has a .293 batting average and 120 home runs in four big league seasons, is starting the final year of a four-year, $7.5-million deal that will pay him $3.5 million this season.

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Spring training quotable quotes: Third baseman Dave Hollins to new traveling secretary-Japanese interpreter Kent Haslam as he handed Haslam a receipt for an airline ticket: “You the traveling secretary? Here, translate this into cash.” . . . Gary DiSarcina, on his decision to relinquish jersey No. 33 to Eddie Murray: “I got my 500th hit last year, and he got his 500th home run and 3,000th hit, so he can wear what he wants.” . . . Closer Troy Percival after shattering his bat against a pitching machine: “Damn, that thing’s slider is nastier than Mike James.’ ” . . . Pitcher Chuck Finley on hitting a ball off the handle of his bat: “It was like 1,000 bees stung my hands. Man, I’m going to have to see my guru Rod [Carew, Angel batting instructor] and have him light some candles and start humming for me.” Finley, already picked to start on opening day, will be held out of throwing drills until the weekend after an examination Thursday of his sore pitching arm. He reported soreness Tuesday and has been taking anti-inflammatory medication.