Hard-Hitting Belle Files For Free Agency, Plans To Meet With Indians

Albert Belle’s numbers say he is the most valuable baseball free agent of the winter, maybe of the ‘90s.

The problem is, Belle has been a top contender for another kind of MVP award Most Volatile Player.

Belle, who has put together among the best back-to-back power seasons in decades, filed for free agency Monday, the second day of the filing period, which lasts until Nov. 10.

Belle’s agent, Arn Tellem, is scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Indians this week. He does not expect anything to be completed until Belle can negotiate with other teams beginning Nov. 15.

In 1995, Belle became the first major leaguer in history with 50 homers and 50 doubles in a season, leading the Indians to their first A.L. pennant in 41 years. This year, Belle batted .311 with 48 home runs and 148 RBIs as the Indians repeated as A.L. Central champions.

From 1991-96, Belle led the majors with 234 homers.

Meanwhile, Chicago Cubs outfielder Luis Gonzalez became the first of the 12 players who need service time from the strike to qualify for free agency to file.

Players and owners spent the day working on an agreement that would allow those players to file provisionally and to extend the filing deadline for all free agents from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14.

Seventeen players filed for free agency Monday, raising the two-day total to 22.

In the latest twist and turn in the ever-changing Barry Bonds’ saga, the San Francisco Giants’ left fielder will be staying put for at least another season.

That revelation was announced Monday by Giants general manager Brian Sabean, who proclaimed Bonds “has now returned to untouchable status.”

There is no longer a need for teams to contact the Giants, whose phones have been lighting up like Times Square on New Year’s Eve ever since Bonds said through his agent two weeks ago that he wanted to be traded.

Ruben Sierra, a key figure in the trade that sent Cecil Fielder to the New York Yankees, went to his third team of the year Monday when the Cincinnati Reds acquired him to bat cleanup.

The Reds sent two low-level minor leaguers to the Detroit Tigers for Sierra, 31, who hit 12 homers and drove in 72 runs for the Yankees and Tigers last season.

The Kansas City Royals traded right-handed pitcher Mark Gubicza - the last active player from their 1985 championship team - to California for designated hitter Chili Davis.

Gubicza had a 4-12 record and 5.13 ERA for the Royals in 1996 before his season ended July 5 at Minnesota when a line drive struck him and fractured his leg.

Davis, 36, spent seven of his 16 seasons with the Angels. He hit .292 last season with 28 homers and 95 RBIs.

In contract developments: Colorado Rockies outfielder Ellis Burks, who had an MVP-caliber season, agreed Monday to an $8.8 million two-year contract.

Burks, who was eligible for free agency, will receive a $600,000 signing bonus, $3.7 million in 1997 and $4.5 million in 1998.

Burks hit .344 with 40 homers, 128 RBIs, 32 stolen bases and a league-leading 142 runs scored.

The Baltimore Orioles exercised their option Monday and signed outfielder Brady Anderson for the 1997 season at undisclosed terms. … Kevin Seitzer and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to exercise his 1997 option for $1.22 million. … The Atlanta Braves exercised their $5 million option for pitcher Tom Glavine (15-10, 2.98 ERA), ensuring his return in 1997, but declined to extend the contract of outfielder Jerome Walton (.340 in 37 games).

The San Francisco Giants exercised their $1.7 million option on outfielder Glenallen Hill (19 HRs, 67 RBIs). … The New York Mets exercised their option on the contract of Mark Clark (14-11, 3.43 ERA), worth $2.05 million….The New York Yankees declined their $1.6 million option on right-hander Ricky Bones (7-14, 5.83 ERA) and instead will pay him a $300,000 buyout.