Free Agents Continue To Take Pay Cuts

Teddy Higuera, Chris Sabo and Danny Darwin became the latest major leaguers to take massive paycuts Monday, each free agent losing more than $1 million in salary for signing with new clubs.

With teams trying to save money, relievers Paul Assenmacher and Rob Murphy also paid the price for finding jobs. In other moves, relievers Roger McDowell, Mike Perez and Mike Maddux signed, while Colorado traded reliever Marcus Moore to Cincinnati.

Darwin signed a one-year, $300,000 contract with the Toronto Blue Jays after earning $2.4 million last year with Boston.

“I took a pay cut, but the money was not the issue,” Darwin said. “My biggest concern was being able to pitch again.”

Higuera, 36, agreed to a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres that would pay him $275,000 if he makes the major-league team. He was paid $3.25 million last year.

Sabo signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox for $550,00 after making $2 million last year with Baltimore.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t have much of a choice. I wanted to go back to the National League, but it didn’t work out,” Sabo said.

Assenmacher, 34, joined Cleveland’s bullpen. He signed for one year at $700,000 after making $2.25 million while going 2-1 with one save and a 3.55 ERA for the White Sox.

Murphy, 34, signed a minor-league deal with Los Angeles for $250,000. He made $950,000 last year with the New York Yankees.

McDowell, 34, signed with Texas for $500,000. He was 0-3 with a 5.23 ERA for Loas Angeles last season. Perez, who had 12 saves for St. Louis last year, signed with the Chicago Cubs, and Maddux joined Pittsburgh after pitching last season for the New York Mets.

In a trade, the Rockies sent Moore, 4-2 with a 6.45 ERA last season, to the Reds for minor league infielder Chris Sexton.

Mariners entertain offers for “Big Unit”

Boston is among several teams scraping their nickels together to pursue premier left-handed pitcher Randy Johnson of Seattle.

General manager Dan Duquette is under orders to keep the budget at $25 million, but he has room under the ceiling since 19 players are currently contracted for $17.88 million.

Thus Johnson, despite a yearly wage of $4.66 million through the 1997 season, is a top priority. Duquette said he has had talks with the Mariners, who are looking to dump payroll, for about a week.

“He’s a first-division pitcher,” said Duquette. “Our interest would have to be strong in an upper-echelon pitcher.”

The Mariners are seeking two or three top players, one of which must be a pitcher. Clearly, they would have interest in former Washington State star Aaron Sele. But Boston has made Sele untouchable thus far, and may have to think about sending a Frankie Rodriguez or a Jeff Suppan to Seattle.

The Toronto Blue Jays have also made their bid, offering first baseman John Olerud, another former WSU star, and a pitcher. The New York Yankees have offered a package that includes right-hander Scott Kamieniecki.

Angels consider making move

California Angels general manager Bill Bavasi is actively pursuing trade possibilities and has not only discussed deals involving center fielder Chad Curtis, but other prominent players as well.

“We’re open to anything,” Bavasi said, stressing that the Angels are far more likely to make a trade than sign a high-profile free agent. “We’ll talk about anything that can improve our ballclub.”

The Angels wouldn’t mind unloading Curtis’ contract, which calls for $1.9 million this year, but Bavasi said he would also consider trading pitcher Chuck Finley, who makes $4.5 million.

“It’s a definite possibility,” Bavasi said. “There isn’t any option this club will not look at.”

Mets look to sign Butler

The New York Mets have made a one-year contract offer to free-agent center fielder Brett Butler, reported to be worth less than half the $3.5 million he was scheduled to earn last season with Los Angeles.

Butler said he talked with Mets owner Fred Wilpon on Sunday, and characterized his chat as “very refreshing” and “nice.”

Butler stopped short of saying he was pleased to take a pay cut, however.

“If I get offers that are insulting, then at age 37, coming off a pretty good year, I’ll just stop playing,” he said.