Signing Hill Is Priority for Angels in Off-Season

Signing pitcher Ken Hill to a contract extension is a top priority for the Angels in the coming weeks, General Manager Bill Bavasi said Wednesday.

“Unless another team does something very outlandish and very stupid, we are going to get him,” Bavasi said.

While Bavasi assembles the roster, Manager Terry Collins will have to hire one and perhaps two coaches. Dave Parker left the Angels Wednesday to join the St. Louis Cardinals, while the Toronto Blue Jays identified Larry Bowa as one of four finalists for their managerial job.

Parker, the Angels’ first-base coach this year, replaces George Hendrick as the Cardinals’ hitting coach. Parker rejoins Manager Tony La Russa, who led the 1989 Oakland Athletics to the World Series championship in the season Parker has called the favorite of his career.

Hill has an option year left on his $4.6-million contract, which includes an out clause that would make him a free agent. The Angels have until 15 days after the World Series to pick up the option, but Hill must agree to it.

Even if Hill opts for free agency, Bavasi said the Angels will do everything possible to sign him.

“I anticipate that he may end up in the free-agent market,” Bavasi said. “If I was his agent, I would want some sense where the market was going. That doesn’t change our thinking.”

Houston’s Darryl Kile, who filed for free agency on Monday, and San Francisco’s Wilson Alvarez, who is expected to file, are considered the top pitchers in this year’s market. Hill is expected to sign a three-year deal worth about $15 million.

Hill was acquired from the Texas Rangers in July for catcher Jim Leyritz and a player to be named. He was 4-4 with a 3.65 earned-average in 12 starts, but was the Angels’ best pitcher over the final five weeks, giving up only 10 runs in 52 innings in his last seven starts.

The Angels and Rangers have not completed the trade. It is believed that the player to be named is contingent on the Angels signing Hill. Bavasi would not comment on the trade.

The Angels also have spoken with Montreal regarding pitcher Pedro Martinez, who the Expos are expected to trade.

“I can tell you what they are looking for are real good, real young players,” Bavasi said. “I’m not sure we’re a match. I don’t think they want to take players who are making a lot of money.”

That would rule out Jim Edmonds, whom the Angels seem willing to part with provided they can get a top-flight pitcher, someone in the Curt Schilling class.

Bavasi said he was unsure whether the Angels would pursue Rickey Henderson, who filed for free agency Monday. Henderson was acquired in a trade with the Padres, but hit .183 in 32 games with the Angels.