Spiezio Declines Contract Offer

The Angels bid farewell to Scott Spiezio on Sunday after the first baseman declined to accept a two-year offer that included a pay cut of more than 50%.

The Angels deferred their offer to Spiezio as long as possible, uncertain whether off-season moves would leave first base vacant. With moves still pending and a Sunday deadline to sign him or lose him, the Angels extended a proposal that would have made him a well-compensated utilityman and rejected a series of counterproposals.

“We’re still not in a position to promise him a full-time job,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said Sunday.

Spiezio wants an everyday job. He made $4.25 million last season, when he hit .265 in 521 at-bats, with 16 home runs and a career-high 83 runs batted in. The total value of the two-year offer was less than $4.25 million.

Spiezio will be forever remembered in Anaheim for his home run that turned around Game 6 of the 2002 World Series.

“We wish him well and thank him for four good years,” Stoneman said.

Spiezio and agent Barry Meister did not return calls Sunday.

The Angels officially refused salary arbitration to Spiezio and outfielder Eric Owens on Sunday. As a result, they cannot negotiate with either player before May 1.

-- Bill Shaikin

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The Dodgers agreed to contract terms with free-agent infielder Robin Ventura and offered salary arbitration to pitchers Paul Quantrill and Wilson Alvarez before Sunday’s deadline.

Ventura, 36, got a one-year, $1.2-million deal. The 14-year veteran, who plays first and third base, batted .220 with five home runs and 13 RBIs during 49 games for the Dodgers after he was acquired in a trade with the New York Yankees.

Ventura was also a positive force in the clubhouse, Dodger players said, prompting General Manager Dan Evans to bring back the six-time Gold Glove award winner in an effort to bolster the bench.

The Dodgers did not offer arbitration to outfielders Jeromy Burnitz and Rickey Henderson, and first basemen Fred McGriff and Ron Coomer.

-- Jason Reid