Finley Signing Close, but Abbott a Question

The Angels are on the verge of signing pitcher Chuck Finley to a three-year deal that is expected to pay him about $4 million a year, but a team executive said “we’re not as close” to signing free-agent pitcher Jim Abbott.

The Angels have also been informed that baseball owners are scheduled to vote on the Walt Disney Co.’s purchase of 25% of the team on Jan. 18, the final day of their winter meetings in Los Angeles, meaning the entertainment giant could assume operational control of the Angels later this month.

Three-fourths of American League owners and half of National League owners must approve the Disney deal, which would end Gene Autry’s 35-year tenure as sole owner of the team.

But will Autry’s legacy include allowing Abbott, one of the most popular players in franchise history, to leave the Angels twice in a little more than three years?

If the Angels don’t re-sign Finley and Abbott by Monday, they would lose negotiating rights to them until May 1, effectively ending any chance of keeping them in Anaheim.

But several sources said the Finley deal is complete except for a few minor details and could be announced within the next two days.

“It could happen any time,” Angel President Richard Brown said. “We’re really very, very optimistic. I think we’ll have some good news very soon.”

Finley, an Angel for his entire 10-year career, was 15-12 with a 4.21 earned-run average and 195 strikeouts in 1995, and the retention of the left-hander was deemed critical for the Angels’ 1996 playoff hopes.

Assuming recently-signed veterans Bryan Harvey, Tim Wallach and Jack Howell make the team, Finley’s contract would push the Angels’ payroll to about $21.5 million for 12 players signed for 1996.

The Angels are obligated to keep payroll at $25 million or less for the Disney deal to be approved, so they could conceivably sign Abbott, who is seeking about $3.2 million a year, and stay under the $25-million limit.

Disney would then be responsible for signing the remaining 13 players, a group that includes center fielder Jim Edmonds, first baseman J.T. Snow, left fielder Garret Anderson and reliever Troy Percival.

Times staff writer Ross Newhan contributed to this story.