Watson, Angels OK Deal

Angel pitcher Allen Watson dropped 15 pounds over the winter, but his wallet was fattened considerably Tuesday.

Watson and the Angels avoided arbitration when they agreed to a one-year, $2.9-million contract, a raise of $1.7 million over 1997, when he went 12-12 with a 4.93 earned-run average and led the major leagues in home runs allowed with 37.

Watson, 27, had been seeking $3.375 million in arbitration, and the Angels countered with $2.3 million. The agreement keeps Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi’s arbitration record intact--in five years as the team’s GM, Bavasi has not gone to an arbitration hearing.

In addition to his base salary, Watson, who has a 39-45 career record, can earn $15,000 in performance bonuses for innings pitched. With Watson signed, the Angels now have committed $35 million to 17 players on the 1998 payroll, $38 million when Jim Abbott’s $3 million salary is factored in.

The Angels hope to keep their payroll at about $40 million, but still must sign Darin Erstad, Todd Greene and Jason Dickson.