Hershiser Becomes Free Agent

Orel Hershiser of the Indians, Joe Orsulak of the Mets and Jody Reed of the Padres became free agents, increasing the total to 138 on the final day of filing.

The Indians have until Wednesday to exercise a $1.5 million option on Hershiser for 1996. But Hershiser, according to several people familiar with the situation, has threatened to retire if the team tries to bring him back at that figure, which he considers too low.

Three players eligible for free agency didn’t file: Detroit infielder Alan Trammell, New York Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry and St. Louis shortstop Ozzie Smith.

Outfielder Marquis Grissom agreed to a $19.2 million, four-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Grissom, who had a $4.9 million salary in 1995, will receive $4.8 million in each of the next four seasons under the deal announced Saturday.

The 28-year-old outfielder was acquired in a trade with Montreal on April 6. He had a .258 average last season with 12 homers, 42 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.

In six seasons with the Expos, Grissom had a .279 batting average with 54 home runs, 276 RBIs and 266 stolen bases.

Although the Yankees have not announced their coaching staff under new manager Joe Torre, a club official said Mel Stottlemyre will be part of it.

“He hasn’t signed,” the official said, “but it looks good.”

Toby Harrah, who was International League manager of the year at Norfolk, Va., last season, has been hired as a coach for the Cleveland Indians, reuniting him with former Rangers teammate Mike Hargrove. To replace Harrah, the Mets organization has rehired Bobby Valentine, who managed Norfolk in 1994 before spending last season in Japan managing the Chiba Lotte Marines.