Contract Feels Right to Salmon

The Angels locked up another core player with a four-year contract Thursday, signing Tim Salmon to a $40-million extension that virtually assures the popular right fielder will remain in Anaheim through the 2005 season.

Salmon, 32, is the third player to sign such a deal this spring. Earlier, four-year agreements were signed by third baseman Troy Glaus for $22 million and catcher Bengie Molina for $4.25 million.

With Garret Anderson beginning a four-year, $20-million extension and Mo Vaughn in the middle of a six-year, $80-million deal, the Angels have five key players signed through 2004. They hope to sign Darin Erstad, in the final year of a four-year, $7.25-million contract, to an extension soon.

“This is big for our organization, and it certainly indicates the direction Bill [Stoneman, Angel general manager] is going with the club,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “No one wanted Tim to leave, and you could see he wanted to stay.”

Salmon, who will make $6 million this season, the last of a four-year, $22.5-million deal, received a $2-million signing bonus with his extension. He will make $9.25 million in 2002, $9.5 million in 2003, $9.5 million in 2004 and $9.75 million in 2005.

A no-trade clause, which agent Ted Updike said was “a large part of discussions,” limits the number of teams Salmon can be dealt to until he becomes a 10-year veteran with five years on the same team and gains trade-veto rights in August 2002.

The whole point of signing the extension, Salmon said, was so he could finish his career in Anaheim.

“It’s like college, having an alma mater, that’s the way I feel about this organization,” said Salmon, who has a .291 batting average in eight big league seasons and holds the franchise record with 230 home runs. “They’ve been a part of my family for 11 years, and that’s special. . . .

“The economics of the game have changed, and it’s not always possible to play your whole career with one team, but my loyalty is here. I remember going to Milwaukee, seeing all the years Robin Yount played there and thinking that was pretty neat. That’s how I want to be here.”

Salmon wasn’t so certain over the winter. Displeased with a lack of front-office activity and unsure of the team’s commitment to winning, he hinted that he might test the free-agent waters.

But after several telephone conversations with Scioscia and an hourlong meeting with Stoneman in Anaheim in early February, Salmon was convinced he wanted to remain an Angel, and negotiations began.

“My concern was that they were going through a rebuilding phase,” said Salmon, who has been sidelined since March 10 because of an abdominal strain and expects to return this weekend or early next week.

“But we have a great offensive core and a young pitching staff that is full of potential. You have to consider what the team will be like in two or three years, and I’m comfortable with it.”

Stoneman couldn’t recall the specifics about his February conversation with Salmon.

“He just had some questions about the future of the club,” he said. “I guess what I said was what he wanted to hear.”

Stoneman has no concerns that Salmon will be 36 in the final year of this extension. Though hindered by foot problems since 1998 and a sprained wrist in 1999, Salmon has been a consistent 30-homer, 100-RBI producer throughout his career.

“He’s a very dedicated player who is willing to work to stay in shape, and that’s not going to change,” Stoneman said. “I don’t see any negatives to this, and I’m confident by the time he’s 36, we may be talking to him about another contract.”

Salmon signed his first four-year contract, worth $7.5 million, after winning American League rookie-of-the year honors in 1993, then signed the four-year, $22.5-million extension, a deal some believed was below market value, in 1997.

Updike said Salmon could have had five-year offers in the $13-million-a-year range in free agency. But considering the long-term commitments the Angels have made to Salmon--now $70 million over 12 years--Updike said Salmon was very open to giving the Angels a home-team discount.

“His decision probably cost him about $10 million, but his goal has never been to get top dollar--he’s never been about money,” Updike said. “You know Tim. He wants to be a good businessman, but at the same time, his priority was to remain with the Angels.

“It’s still a contract he feels good about. It’s a win-win situation for both sides. . . . There have been a lot of players griping about their contracts, but that’s not Tim. I wish there were more Tim Salmon stories.”

Salmon is known as “Mr. Angel.” He has long been a fan favorite in Anaheim and is deeply involved in the community.

“He’s the player who is most identified with the club, which is huge,” Stoneman said. “And so was the fact he hits a lot of home runs and drives in a lot of runs.”

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Angel Contracts

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Yrs. Amt. Term Mo Vaughn 6 $80 1999-04 Tim Salmon 4 $40 2002-05 Troy Glaus 4 $22 2001-04 Garret Anderson 4 $20 2001-04 Darin Erstad 4 $7.25 1998-01 Bengie Molina 4 $4.25 2001-04

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Notes: Dollar figures in millions. . . . Salmon is in final year of four-year, $22.5-million contract that will pay him $6 million this season.

By the Numbers

Tim Salmon’s major league statistics:

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Avg. G AB R H HR RBI 1992 .177 23 79 8 14 2 6 1993 .283 142 515 93 146 31 95 1994 .287 100 373 67 107 23 70 1995 .330 143 537 111 177 34 105 1996 .286 156 581 90 166 30 98 1997 .296 157 582 95 172 33 129 1998 .300 136 463 84 139 26 88 1999 .266 98 353 60 94 17 69 2000 .290 158 568 108 165 34 97 Totals .291 1113 4051 716 1180 230 757

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