Baseball Whirlwind Continues Surhoff To Orioles; Angels Retain Harvey

While David Cone said he finally would pick his new team today, B.J. Surhoff signed with the Baltimore Orioles and Bryan Harvey returned to his original team, the California Angels.

While Cone wouldn’t say which way he was leaning, several agents said they had heard his preference was the Orioles, not the Yankees.

Surhoff got a $3.7 million, three-year deal from the Orioles and can earn $4.75 million over the length of the contract if he plays regularly.

Harvey, who missed most of the past two seasons with an injured elbow, is guaranteed $500,000 by the Angels and can earn $1.75 million in bonuses.

There was one trade Wednesday. The Houston Astros dealt right-handed reliever Dave Veres and minor-league catcher Raul Chavez to Montreal for third baseman Sean Berry.

Meanwhile, clubs created 39 more free agents when they failed to offer contracts by Wednesday night’s midnight deadline.

Among those set free were Baltimore pitcher Ben McDonald, White Sox shortstop Craig Grebeck, Cubs third baseman Todd Zeile, Philadelphia pitchers Tommy Greene and David West and San Francisco outfielder Deion Sanders.

The Phillies didn’t offer contracts to pitchers Curt Schilling, Tommy Greene, David West and outfielder Mark Whiten, but agreed with all four for cuts exceeding the 20 percent limit that would have applied before they became free agents.

San Diego was expected to set free shortstop Andujar Cedeno, who made $1.15 million last year, and then agree to a $500,000 deal plus bonuses.

Kansas City was expected to let go of Jose Offerman, acquired Sunday from Los Angeles, and then agree to a $900,000 one-year deal with the chance for $200,000 more in bonuses. Offerman made $1.6 million last season.

Fifteen players eligible for arbitration agreed to deals.

Cincinnati pitcher Pete Schourek got $3.3 million, up from $762,777, and Reds pitcher Dave Burba got $1.1 million, nearly double his salary. Reds catcher Eddie Taubensee got a $2.3 million, three-year contract.

Toronto pitcher Juan Guzman, who was 4-14 last season, took the 20 percent cut to $2.24 million. Blue Jays catcher Randy Knorr got $280,000.

Florida pitcher Chris Hammond got $1.6 million, a raise of $575,000. Cleveland pitcher Mark Clark was guaranteed $927,500, up from $750,000. The Indians have a 1997 option that ranges from $1.5 million to $2.4 million, depending on how many innings he pitches next season.