Guerrero to Join Angels

In a stunning coup that establishes the Angels as World Series contenders once again and new owner Arte Moreno as one of baseball’s biggest spenders, the team agreed to terms Saturday night with star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, several sources said.

Although the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets publicly pursued Guerrero in recent days, a National League executive told The Times on Saturday he was informed by a high-ranking Met official that Guerrero had accepted a five-year, $70-million proposal from the Angels.

Agent Arn Tellem could not be reached by The Times but told the New York Post, “The Mets made a good-faith attempt, and Vladimir decided to sign with another team.”

The Orioles offered six years and $78 million, but a team official told the Baltimore Sun, “If it’s a done deal, we’re not the team.”

Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman did not return several calls, and club spokesman Tim Mead said he could not comment. The Angels do not confirm signings until a player passes a physical examination, which Guerrero is expected to undergo this week.

In Guerrero and Bartolo Colon, Moreno’s Angels have signed the best player and best pitcher available in free agency, at a combined cost of $121 million. The Angels also have signed pitcher Kelvim Escobar and outfielder Jose Guillen, and the total commitment to the four free agents -- $145.75 million -- nearly matches the $183.5 million Moreno paid to buy the franchise from the Walt Disney Co. last May.

The Angels opened last season with a player payroll of $76 million. That figure could top $100 million this season.

Guerrero, a relatively anonymous superstar who enjoyed his out-of-the-limelight tenure with the Montreal Expos, joins the Angels in the prime of his career.

Guerrero and third baseman Troy Glaus, both 27, are the Angels’ youngest position players.

No longer do the Angels have a vacancy at first base. They are expected to move Gold Glove outfielder Darin Erstad there and play Guerrero, Guillen and Garret Anderson in the outfield.

The Angels did not enter the Guerrero sweepstakes until Thursday, a stealth entry by Moreno and Stoneman. Even on Saturday, two high-ranking club officials said they were unaware of the negotiations.

Although the Angels had insisted the previous signings had all but emptied their wallet, Moreno and Stoneman suddenly changed direction, intrigued by the prolonged availability of Guerrero and the chance to sign him immediately. They had previously expressed interest in Guerrero but believed he wanted to stay in the National League.

However, after the Angels bid, the Mets reportedly did not receive the opportunity to raise their offer.

The Mets bid five years and $71 million but guaranteed three years and $30 million, the rest of the offer in incentive clauses tied to playing time. Guerrero sat out 39 games last season because of a herniated disk in his back, but the injury did not require surgery and he returned to play in 62 of the Expos’ final 64 games.

In a conference call with New York reporters, Duquette said the Mets limited the length of their guarantee because they could not obtain insurance against another back injury to Guerrero. Moreno has accepted the risk of self-insurance.

The Orioles bid for Guerrero first and hardest, but apparently he had little interest in playing in Baltimore. He rejected a five-year, $75-million offer to remain with the Expos, presumably because the offer was heavily backloaded and because his agents believed more lucrative bids awaited such a talented player.

Guerrero, a right fielder blessed with one of baseball’s most powerful throwing arms, played in at least 154 games in each of the five years preceding last season, hitting from 34 to 44 home runs and posting a batting average from .307 to .345. He also scored and drove in 100 runs in each of those seasons.

Guerrero, who speaks little English, will find a Spanish-speaking owner in Anaheim and fellow Dominicans in Colon, Guillen, pitcher Ramon Ortiz and coach Alfredo Griffin. In September, even before Colon and Guillen had signed, Ortiz heartily endorsed the pursuit of Guerrero.

“If the Angels sign this guy,” Ortiz said, “my God, watch out.”

Times staff writers Mike DiGiovanna and Ross Newhan contributed to this report.

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Touched by Angel Owner

Important transactions since Arte Moreno purchased the Angels last May:

* Kevin Appier: The Angels cut their struggling starting pitcher July 30, handing him a $15.67-million severance check, the largest in major league history.

* Kelvim Escobar: Signed free-agent starting pitcher to a three-year deal worth $18.75 million on Nov. 24.

* Scott Spiezio: On Dec. 7, the versatile 2002 World Series hero declined to accept a two-year offer worth less than $4.25 million, which represented a 50% pay cut from his 2003 salary. He signed with Seattle.

* Bartolo Colon: Signed free-agent starting pitcher to a four-year deal worth $51 million Dec. 9.

* Jose Guillen: Signed free-agent outfielder to a two-year deal worth $6 million Dec. 16.

* Adam Kennedy: Re-signed second baseman to a three-year deal worth $9 million Dec. 18.

* Vladimir Guerrero: Free-agent outfielder has agreed to five-year, $70-million deal.

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Vladimir Guerrero’s Statistics

The year-by-year record of outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, who has played his entire major league career with the Montreal Expos but is on the verge of signing a free-agent contract with the Angels:

*--* Year Tm G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 1996 Mtl 9 27 2 5 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 185 185 296 1997 Mtl 90 325 44 98 22 2 11 40 19 39 3 4 302 350 483 1998 Mtl 159 623 108 202 37 7 38 109 42 95 11 9 324 371 589 1999 Mtl 160 610 102 193 37 5 42 131 55 62 14 7 316 378 600 2000 Mtl 154 571 101 197 28 11 44 123 58 74 9 10 345 410 664 2001 Mtl 159 599 107 184 45 4 34 108 60 88 37 16 307 377 566 2002 Mtl 161 614 106 206 37 2 39 111 84 70 40 20 336 417 593 2003 Mtl 112 394 71 130 20 3 25 79 63 53 9 5 330 426 586 Total 1004 3763 641 1215 226 34 234 702 381 484 123 71 323 390 588

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