Orioles Sign DeShields, Surhoff

Syd Thrift, special assistant to the general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, summed up another busy day for the team in four words: “We hit the trifecta.”

At a news conference called to introduce new catcher Charles Johnson, the Orioles on Friday announced two other additions to a team that has undergone a radical face lift in the past week.

The Orioles plugged a hole in the middle of their infield by agreeing to a $12.5-million, three-year contract with free-agent second baseman Delino DeShields and re-signed outfielder B.J. Surhoff to a $14-million, three-year contract with an option that would make the deal worth $17.5 million for four years.

Surhoff, 34, joined the Orioles in 1996 and decided to stay with the team instead of signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates. DeShields comes to the Orioles from the St. Louis Cardinals, while Johnson was traded by the Dodgers last week in a three-team deal.

Johnson takes over the No. 25 previously worn by Rafael Palmeiro, who signed with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday.

Palmeiro’s departure was the Orioles’ most glaring loss during a four-day span in which they added three starters (Albert Belle, DeShields and Johnson) and re-signed another (Surhoff).

DeShields, who hit .290 with the Cardinals last season, will basically play the role vacated by free agent Roberto Alomar, who signed with the Cleveland Indians last week.

DeShields, 29, had a .371 on-base percentage and 26 stolen bases for the Cardinals in 1998.

Surhoff hit .279 last season and established career highs with 160 hits, 22 homers and 92 runs batted in. Surhoff shunned a similar offer from the Pirates because he considers Baltimore home.

*

Steve Finley’s agent said that the San Diego Padre center fielder should close a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks by Monday.

Tommy Tanzer told Phoenix radio station KMVP that he is sure it’s a done deal and that there is no reason to talk to other teams.

Finley is expected to get a four-year contract worth more than $21 million.

Arizona has spent $95.6 million to overhaul its pitching staff in the last few weeks, and an additional $1.8 million on backup first baseman Greg Colbrunn.

*

Right-hander Willie Blair, a bust with the Diamondbacks and the New York Mets last season after signing a huge contract as a free agent, was traded from the Mets to the Detroit Tigers for third baseman Joe Randa.

Blair had the best season of his career with the Tigers in 1997, when he went 16-8 with a 4.17 earned-run average, winning 12 of his final 16 starts. After the season, he signed a $12.5-million, three-year contract with the Diamondbacks, but he was 4-15 with a 5.34 ERA when Arizona traded him to the Mets on July 31.

Part of the reason behind the deal is money. Detroit assumes the remainder of Blair’s contract, which calls for salaries of $3.5 million next year and $4.25 million in 2000.

Randa made $375,000 last season and is eligible for salary arbitration, but the Mets, who agreed this week to a $32-million, four-year contract with third baseman Robin Ventura, might trade Randa before the start of the season.

*

Each member of the New York Yankees voted a full World Series share will get $312,042, almost $100,000 more than the previous record.

Members of the National League champion San Diego Padres will receive $204,184.

The previous record for a share was set in 1996, when a full share for the Yankees was worth $216,870. This year’s increased total followed the doubling of World Series ticket prices.

*

Mike Remlinger, acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the Cincinnati Reds last month, agreed to a $1.1-million, one-year contract. Remlinger, a 32-year-old left-hander, was 8-15 with a 4.82 ERA in 28 starts and seven relief appearances for the Reds last season. . . . Infielder Tim Bogar and the Houston Astros agreed to a $1.1-million, two-year contract. . . . Outfielder Geronimo Berroa agreed to a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that guarantees him $500,000 for next season and he was invited to spring training as a non-roster player.