Angels, Anderson Agree to Three-Year Contract

The Angels and left fielder Garret Anderson on Friday agreed to a three-year contract worth $4 million with a club option on a fourth season. With incentives, the deal could be worth as much as $7.75 million over four years.

Anderson, 24, will be paid $500,000 this season, $1.4 million in 1998 and $2.1 million in 1999. He will earn $3.25 million if the Angels pick up their option in 2000.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a big relief, but I’m happy,” said Anderson, who made $250,000 last season. “It was always my intention to find something I could live with. I don’t have to worry about anything now. I can just go out and play.”

Anderson’s status with the Angels became an issue last season. He did not have a long-term deal, and that weighed heavily on his mind. He said worrying about contract matters affected his play.

“You could see it in my numbers,” he said. “I let business get the best of me.”

Anderson hit .285 with 12 home runs and 72 runs batted in in 150 games last season, and considered it an off year. In 1995, he hit .321 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs in 106 games and finished second to Minnesota outfielder Marty Cordova in voting for the American League rookie of the year award.

“The fact is he did have a subpar year last year,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “He’s going to do better than that.

“[But] we didn’t do a deal just to help him relax. He didn’t have a deal all spring until this morning and look how well he’s done.”

Anderson, one of the few bright lights in the winless Angels’ camp this spring, is batting .500 (10 for 20) with six RBIs. He said he is eager to forget last season’s struggles.

“About the only bright spot in my season last year was hitting my first grand slam,” said Anderson, who was the subject of numerous trade rumors as the club’s season unraveled after the All-Star break.

With Anderson now in the fold until at least 1999, the Angels have signed their three young outfielders to long-term deals. Right fielder Tim Salmon last week signed a four-year, $22.5-million deal. Center fielder Jim Edmonds last year signed a four-year deal.

“As a group our three, plus Darin Erstad when he’s in the outfield, are the best in baseball,” Bavasi said. “Other general managers will probably say their guys are better. They’re wrong. I’m right. Our outfield is the best.”

Anderson said the idea of playing with Edmonds and Salmon for several years to come appeals to him. The Angels also have shortstop Gary DiSarcina and relievers Mike James and Troy Percival signed to deals through the 1999 season.