Steve Frey

The Angels are expected to announce an agreement to play Aguascalientes of the Mexican League in an exhibition game at Edison Field on April 3, three days before the start of the regular season. The Angels traditionally play the Dodgers on the final weekend of the exhibition season, but the Dodgers excused themselves from two of three dates so they could play the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium. In other news, the Angels signed left-handed reliever Steve Frey to a minor-league contract.

The Angels are expected to announce an agreement to play Aguascalientes of the Mexican League in an exhibition game at Edison Field on April 3, three days before the start of the regular season. The Angels traditionally play the Dodgers on the final weekend of the exhibition season, but the Dodgers excused themselves from two of three dates so they could play the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium. In other news, the Angels signed left-handed reliever Steve Frey to a minor-league contract.

Steve Frey, a left-handed relief pitcher who led the Angels with 13 saves last season, reached an agreement Wednesday with the San Francisco Giants on a two-year contract worth $1.85 million, spurning the Angels' offer of $1.7 million. Said Angel General Manager Whitey Herzog: "We made a good offer to him, and we hate to lose him, but we'll be all right."

Steve Frey, the left-handed relief pitcher who led the Angels with 13 saves last season, reached an agreement Wednesday with the San Francisco Giants on a two-year contract worth $1.85 million. The Angels had offered $1.7 million. "We tried, we tried our best to work out something with the Angels," Frey said, "but nothing ever happened. I wanted to go to the Angels all along, but they just never budged. It's a shame, but they really left me no choice."

The Angels rejected reliever Steve Frey's revised contract proposal Friday, a move that probably will end his Angel career. Steve Comte, Frey's agent, said they submitted a modified contract proposal at the Angels' request, laden with incentives, but the Angels never budged from their original offer. The Angels, it is believed, offered a two-year contract worth about $1.5 million to avoid arbitration the next two years.

Steve Frey says there are good points and bad points to his long acquaintance with Angel Manager Buck Rodgers. The biggest benefit for Frey was that when the Angels needed a left-handed short reliever, Rodgers remembered him from their days in Montreal and recommended the Angels purchase his contract from the Expos. The drawback is that Rodgers knows his foibles and won't let him get away with anything.

Seeking the largest salary award in Angel history, outfielder Luis Polonia will file today for arbitration, his agent said Thursday. Polonia is expected to submit a salary request in excess of $2.5 million, eclipsing the $2.1 million former Angel first baseman Wally Joyner received in 1991. "We feel Luis is one of the top leadoff hitters in the game," said agent Chuck Berry, "and he should be paid accordingly.

Reliever Steve Frey, who gave up Mo Vaughn's three-run homer Tuesday, gave up a two-run homer to Oakland's Jose Canseco in his previous appearance, Saturday. . . . Right-hander Shawn Purdy of the Class-A Palm Springs Angels was the California League pitcher of the week. He was a 9-2 winner in his only start.

Yankee starter Scott Kamieniecki was eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday, but is not expected to be recovered from his sprained right elbow for at least two more weeks. . . . Cincinnati Reds reliever Mike Jackson, recovering from shoulder soreness, made his first start for Double-A Chattanooga as part of a medical rehab assignment and pitched a perfect inning. . . .

The New York Mets broke up their 1986 World Series champions a little more Friday when they dealt shortstop Rafael Santana to the New York Yankees, a few hours after trading away relief pitcher Jesse Orosco. The deal that sent Santana to the Yankees was the first between the two intracity rivals to involve a major league player. Four minor league players were also included in the deal. Santana, 29, batted .255 last season, hitting 5 home runs and driving in 44 runs.

The Angels rejected reliever Steve Frey's revised contract proposal Friday, a move that probably will end his Angel career. Steve Comte, Frey's agent, said they submitted a modified contract proposal at the Angels' request, laden with incentives, but the Angels never budged from their original offer. The Angels, it is believed, offered a two-year contract worth about $1.5 million to avoid arbitration the next two years.

Seeking the largest salary award in Angel history, outfielder Luis Polonia will file today for arbitration, his agent said Thursday. Polonia is expected to submit a salary request in excess of $2.5 million, eclipsing the $2.1 million former Angel first baseman Wally Joyner received in 1991. "We feel Luis is one of the top leadoff hitters in the game," said agent Chuck Berry, "and he should be paid accordingly.

Steve Frey says there are good points and bad points to his long acquaintance with Angel Manager Buck Rodgers. The biggest benefit for Frey was that when the Angels needed a left-handed short reliever, Rodgers remembered him from their days in Montreal and recommended the Angels purchase his contract from the Expos. The drawback is that Rodgers knows his foibles and won't let him get away with anything.

It is hardly the elixir to all of their bullpen woes, but the Angels acquired what they believe will be invaluable experience Thursday when they signed left-hander Craig Lefferts to a one-year contract. Lefferts was guaranteed $400,000 in 1994 and can earn $900,000 in incentives if he appears in 68 games or pitches 90 innings. Lefferts, 36, the Texas Rangers' opening-day starter last season, becomes the Angels' first free-agent signee of the winter.