The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 24

B-4 Wednesday, December 9, 1992 SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER lfcWMttUl II C8B 9 MB gft Mg Owners spending ascends to dizzying new heights name free agents Andre Dawson and Tom Henke. Dawson, turned down by the Chicago Cubs for a multiyear contract, agreed to a $9.3 million, two-year deal. Dawson, a 38-year-old outfielder, hit .277 for the Cubs last season with 22 homers and 90 RBIs. He has 399 homers in his big league career, which began in 1976, along with 1,425 RBIs and a .282 lifetime average. Henke, 35 on Dec.

21, was 3-2 with 34 saves and a 2.26 ERA for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992. He has 220 saves in 11 major league seasons, and has been one of baseball's most dominant and. consistent stoppers, four times getting 30 saves or more. He has struck out 695 batters in 623 innings during his 11 -season career. Tuesday began when the New York Yankees re-signed reliever Steve Howe for $4.2 million over two years.

It ended at midnight when the Seattle Mariners gave Ken Griffey Jr. $24 million for four years. In between, just about every record imaginable was set: For total dollars, Barry Bonds' $43.75 million, six-year contract with San Francisco topped Cal Ripken's $32.5 million deal with Baltimore. David Cone's annual average of $6 million in his $18 million, three-year contract became the highest for a pitcher, beating Jack Morris' $5,425,000 average with Toronto. Cone's $9 million signing bonus with the Kansas City Royals was easiest the largest ever.

When Dave Stewart and the Blue Jays agreed to an $8.5 million, two-year deal at midnight, it made him the 55th free agent to sign. The signing market opened early Wednesday, with Philadelphia signing free-agent outfielder Milt Thompson to a two-year contract worth $2.75 million. He played for the St Louis Cardinals and had a previous tenure with the Phillies. Shortstop Greg Gagne and the Kansas City Royals agreed to a $10.7 million, three-year contract. The Royals spent $28.7 million on Cone and Gagne, and also gave Curtis Wilkerson a $400,000 contract, of which $100,000 is guaranteed.

Cone's old team, the Blue Jays, also gave pitcher Danny Cox a mi- $750,000, one-year deal, of which $300,000 is guaranteed. He can earn $1.25 million more in performance bonuses, and the team has a 1994 option for his 1993 income. The option would become guaranteed if he pitches 210 innings or makes 30 starts. First baseman Dave Magadan and the Florida Marlins agreed to a minor league contract with a side agreement for a $1.7 million, two-year major league contract The Marlins and pitcher Charlie Hough also agreed to a minor league contract, with a side letter for an $800,000 big league contract. Texas and pitcher Bob Patterson agreed to a one-year contract worth about $750,000, while the Indians and catcher Junior Ortiz agreed to a minor league deal.

Texas agreed to minor league contracts with Willie Smith, Francisco Oliveras and Mark Lee, while Cincinnati agreed to a minor league deal with pitcher Tim Biirke. nor league contract. Adding up Paul Molitor, Joe Carter and Stewart, the Blue Jays spent $41 million on three players. Cone's deal shields most of his money from a possible lockout or strike. Besides the $9 million signing bonus, he gets salaries of $2 million in 1993 and 1994 and $5 million in 1995.

Griffey, who isn't eligible for free agency until after the 1994 season, gets a $2.5 million signing bonus, $3.5 million in 1993, $4 million in 1994 and $7 million each of the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Gagne gets a $2.6 million sign-" ing bonus, $2.5 million next season, $2.1 million in 1994 and $3.5 million in 1995. In other deals, pitcher Dan Pie-sac and the Chicago Cubs agreed to $3.2 million for two years, and Philadelphia and outfielder Pete Incaviglia agreed to $2.3 million for two years. Pitcher Dave Stieb and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a ASSOCIATED PRESS LOUISVILLE, Ky. All that was missing was a tote board, the kind they have on stage during telethons.

General managers kept strolling up to the microphone, gleefully spending million of dollars. All in all, it was baseball's sale of the century, a dizzying display of dollars tossed at stars and backups alike. Topping the Wednesday sign-ings were the Boston Red Sox, who filled two big needs by nabbing big- Bonds will make a Giant difference Marlins president dies ASSOCIATED PRESS LOUISVILLE, Ky. Florida Marlins president Carl Barger died Wednesday of a ruptured aorta several hours after suffering a heart attack during baseball's winter meetings, a spokesman for the team said. Barger, 60, was pronounced dead at a Louisville hospital, according to a spokesman for Marlins owner H.

Wayne Huizenga. American League president Dr. Bobby Brown, a cardiologist, ad- "i ii. tlt. ASSOCIATED PRESS MVP season for the Pirates.

before that, and then he signed with the Giants, and my allegiance switched. I used to carry his bag to Little League games. My dad was his Little League coach. Everyone in my area wanted to be like Bobby Bonds." Bonds has made no secret of his dislike for Candlestick Park, but the Giants believe hell cope with it "I don't think there are many people who love going to Candlestick," said Thompson. "I'd be lying if I said I like it But I think for $43 million, I could put up with it" YEAR TEAM IP BB SO ERA 1978 LA 2 0-0 0 1 0 00 1981 LA 43 4-3 14 29 2.51 1982 LA ....146.1 9-8 49 80 3.81 1983 LA 76 6-2 33 54 2.96 1983 Tex 59 6-2 17 24 2.14 1984 Tex ..192.1 7-14 87 119 4.73 1985 Tex 81.1 37 64 6.42 1985 Phi 4.1 0-0 4 2 6.23 1986 Phi 12.1 0-0 4 9 6.57 1986 Oak .149.1 9-5 65 102 3 74 1987 Oak .261.1 20-13 105 205 3.68 1988 Oak .275.2 21-12 110 192 3 23 1989 Oak .257 2 21-9 69 155 3.32 1990 Oak 267 22-11 83 166 2 56 1991 Oak 226 11-11 105 144 5.18 1992 Oak .199.1 12-10 79 130 3 66 Total! 2253 146-106 861 1476 3.70 DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SEHIES YEAR OPP IP W-L BB 80 ERA 1981 Hou 0.2 0-2 0 1 40.50 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES YEAR OPP IP W-L BB SO ERA 1988 Bos ....13.1 1-0 6 11 1.35 1989 Tor 16 0 2-0 3 9 2.81 1990 Boa ....16 0 2-0 2 4 1.13 1992 Tor 162 1-0 6 7 2.70 Total 62.0 6-0 IT 31 2.03 WORLD SERIES YEAR OPP IP W-L BB SO ERA 1981 NYY 1.2 0-0 2 1.

0.00 1988 LA ......14.1 0-1 5 5 3.14 1989 SF 16.0 2-0 2 14 1.69 1990 On .....13.0 0-2 6 5 3.46 Total 46.0 2-3 15 25 2.60 1L Barry Bonds is coming off his second will hit But if Barry is hitting behind Will Clark, it's going to get ugly." Dusty Baker, who is strongly regarded as the Giants' leading managerial candidate, has known Barry Bonds literally his entire life. "I've seen it come full circle," said Baker. "I remember the day Barry was born. I grew up with his father in Riverside. He was the greatest athlete I ever played against "Bobby was the guy who made me a Giants fan.

I was a Dodger fan taking place about 44 hours earlier, when Bonds had entered the same room for a press conference, only to have the deal nearly blow up because of Lurie's concerns that he'd get stuck with the contract if his sale was voted down. Finally, on Tuesday, a satisfac tory agreement was reached with Lurie, in which Magowan and his partners assumed the total risk for Bonds' contract. Should the sale fall through, Lurie would have the option to accept or reject Bonds' contract. Should he reject it, Bonds would become a free agent for a prescribed period, and the San Francisco group would be required to make up the difference between his ultimate salary and his current deal. Those unorthodox terms had to be approved by all sides, and by National League president Bill White, player union chief Donald Fehr, and player relations committee counsel Charles O'Connor.

Magowan called his dispute with Lurie "an honest mistake." "We absolutely felt we had the consent to go forward," he said. "There were discussions between Bob Quinn and Al Rosen, and Bob Quinn reported back to me that Al Rosen, he thought was very enthusiastic about acquiring Barry Bonds. "I think it was just a miscom-munication. Bob Quinn felt he had the consent we were asking for from Al Rosen, and I think Al felt that despite all the, as he put it 'applause and support' for this move, that should not have been interpreted as consent I think it was just honest difference of opinion between two people. i- jr-f "vy -1 ministered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to keep him alive until paramedics arrived.

Brown said Barger, who has a history of medical problems, was leaving the meeting room to go to the restroom when he collapsed. Owners were just wrapping up their final session at the winter meetings. The owners canceled the rest of the meeting. Barger went to the expansion Marlins last July after six seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Career statistics for Dave Stewart, who agreed to terms on a two-year con-, tract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. .9 i 1 7 A llilll ttftiif Dave Stewart Here, who won a Gold Glove in 1987, would likely platoon with Klrt Manwarlng.

Clark won't renegotiate Despite the signing of Barry Bonds to a $43.75 million contract, Will Clark's agent says he won't ask to renegotiate the final year of his four-year, $15 million contract. Clark will be paid $4.25 million in 1992, and then becomes eligible for free agency. "Certainly from our standpoint, we intend to honor the last year of Will's contract," said Jeff Moorad. "The Giants certainly have the right to approach us and discuss a new contract, but it's not a request well make." Said Peter Magowan: "I think well address the question of Will Clark at the appropriate time." Green to Former Phillies manager Dallas Green is likely to be the final candidate to be interviewed for the va- cant Giants' managerial job. Giants GM Bob Quinn is also expected to interview former Royals manager John Wathan, though neither will take place at the winter meetings.

Grievance over Bonds? The Pirates were roundly ridiculed for not offering salary tration to Bonds, thus apparently forfeiting draft-pick compensation from the Giants. But they are likely to file a grievance claiming that the deal was actually consummated on Sunday, before the arbitration deadline. That's when Bonds arrived for a press conference that was called off when the deal hit a snag. said. "Other teams felt it.

Last year, we didn't have that "I think now when we walk on the field for batting practice, we're going to be looked upon again in that way from other teams. They'll say, 'Hey, those guys got some Bonds' attitude has been called into question in the past, but the Giants' players say they're keeping an open mind. "I don't know Barry very well," said Thompson. "I've heard a lot of horror stories, as well as you have and everyone else. There's got to be some good side to this guy.

Well find out very shortly. There's always a number of players when you play against them you have that dislike, until you play with them. You see what the real him is." There was instant speculation how Bonds would co-exist with their other reigning superstar, Will Clark. "Maybe they'll feed off each other," Thompson said. "Will's the type of guy who's very chirpy.

He says goofy things at times. He's a little different himself. Maybe they'll be fine." There was unanimous agreement that Clark and Williams will welcome Bonds in the Giants' lineup. Though Bonds has batted fifth most of his career, the early speculation is that hell bat cleanup for the Giants, between Clark and Williams. "I think hell take the load off of Matt, but I think the person he's going to help most is going to be Will," said Brantley.

"I'm not the manager. I don't know where Barry Details of the record $43.75 million, six-year contract agreed to Tuesday between Barry Bonds and the Giants, Information was obtained by The Examiner from player and management sources: SALARY 1993: $4 million. 1994: $4.75 million. 1995: $7.75 million. 1996: $8 million.

1997: $8 25 million. 1998: $8 5 million. DEFERRED MONEY: $500,000 of each year's salary will be deferred with interest at the prime rate. It will be paid from 1999 to 2008. BONUSES SIGNING BONUS: $2.5 million.

ONE MVP AWARD $100,000. TWO MVP AWARDS $250,000. THREE MVP AWARDS FOUR MVP AWARDS $1 million. OTHER CONTRACT STIPULATIONS GUARANTEE: All salary money is guaranteed. NO-TRADE: No-trade provision preventing contract assignment to Montreal or Toronto without player approval.

$200,000 if he's traded to any other team. HOTEL SUITE: Player gets a hotel suite on road trips. about family tradition. We're a prime example of family tradition. It's something I wanted to go home and share with my father." Barry Bonds had little comment on the rumors that his father will join the Giants as hitting coach this season.

"That's between ownership and who they chose to manage the team," he said. "I would enjoy it yeah, but it's not my call." The announcement of Bonds' signing had been on the, verge of Players say he'll make things easier for Clark, Williams By Larry Stone OF THE EXAMINER STAFF LOUISVILLE, Ky. Barry Bonds' new Giants' teammates can hardly wait for the season to begin. "This definitely puts us right back in the middle of things," said pitcher Jeff Brantley. "It's not just that Barry can do it all by himself, because no man can.

But he'll make it easy for Will to be Will, and for Matt to be Matt If I was a pitcher, I'd much rather be with the Giants than anywhere else." "There's no doubt he brings a superstar talent to our ballclub," said second baseman Robby Thompson. "He's definitely an impact player. Will (Clark) is that type of player, but Barry might be even more of an impact player, because you add his speed. "Look at the situation we had with Kevin Mitchell and Matt Williams, three boppers like that Now it's back. Just putting Barry in the lineup like that is a tremendous asset" Bud Black was one of several Giants who pointed to the formation of a new "Big Three" in the Giants' lineup with Bonds, Clark and Williams.

"When I came to the Giants in 1991, there was a presence about us when we walked on the field with Will (Clark) and Matt (Williams) and Mitch (Kevin Mitchell)," he GIANTS from B-l Bonds now a part of the family of speed and power, particularly when combined with Will Clark and Matt Williams in the middle of the Giants' order, is being counted upon to make the Giants contenders once again. "I'll do everything in my power for the San Francisco Giants," said Bonds. "It's a great opportunity to play with a player I admire in Will Clark, along with Matt Williams, Robby Thompson, right on down the line." Bonds broke down when he began talking about Mays, his childhood idol. He said that his father discussed with Mays the possibility of his jersey coming out of retirement. "This is like a boyhood dream come true for me," said Bonds.

"To have the opportunity to fulfill the dream of following my idol is unbelievable. It's nice to go home where my dad started, and hopefully where 111 finish. It's a great beginning and ending to the story." Bonds said that the Giants became the leading contender from the moment they made contact with his agent about two weeks ago. "I knew from the minute I got the phone call from (agent) Dennis Gilbert," said Bonds. "It was great for me to feel I could go home again.

All I ever wanted to do was share something with my father. My father and I have done so much in the gajne apart Everyone talks MEETINGS NOTEBOOK A's hope Storm returns to form pearances. "I certainly missed the opportunity to be with teams that won two out of three Western Division championships," he said. "From the outside looking in, I said, 'Man, it would have been really nice to be I had a great relationship with Dave Duncan, and I think Tony (La Russa) is the best manager in baseball." Downs was 5-5 with a 3.29 ERA for Oakland. Martinez agrees The Giants signed free agent Dave Martinez to a two-year, $2.2 million contract Wednesday, with the intent of making him their regular center fielder in 1993.

Martinez, 28, hit .254 in 135 games for the Reds last season, with three homers and 31 RBIs. It was Giants' GM Bob Quinn, then in a similar post in Cincinnati, who had acquired Martinez in a trade with Montreal. Giants, Pirates talking The Giants and the Pirates are having serious discussions about a trade which would send Willie Mc-Gee to Pittsburgh for catcher Mike LaValliere. The Giants, however, still have some concerns about the health of LaValliere's knees. The left-handed h'tting LaVal- Davis, Downs may be in Oakland's '93 rotation By Larry Stone OF TW EXAMINER STAFF LOUISVILLE, Ky.

The A's signed free-agent pitchers Storm Davis and Kelly Downs to two-year deals and said both will have a chance to wind up in the starting rotation. The rotation now has an opening with the loss of Dave Stewart, who signed with the Blue Jays. Ron Darling and Mike Moore are also unsigned. Davis went 16-7 with the A's in 1988 and 19-7 the following year. He signed with Kansas City in 1990 and compiled a 10-19 record in two seasons before moving to Baltimore in a trade.

Last season. he went 7-3 in 48 appearances, all but two in relief. "We dont anticipate him reliev ing," said general manager Sandy Alderson. "He'd like to start again, and well give him that opportuni ty" Davis said he had fond memo ries of his Oakland days, which resulted in two World Series ap.