Belcher Gets Second Shot in Anaheim

The Angels gave pitcher Tim Belcher a chance for redemption Thursday, signing the veteran right-hander to a minor-league contract that will allow him to erase the sour taste of a disappointing 1999 season and an injury-marred 2000.

On the eve of baseball’s winter meetings, the Angels also offered salary arbitration to free-agent reliever Mark Petkovsek, greatly improving their chances of re-signing one of their key setup men.

Petkovsek, who was 4-2 with a 4.22 earned-run average in 64 appearances last season, has drawn interest from several teams, among them the Texas Rangers.

The arbitration offer--which must be accepted or rejected by Dec. 19--extends the period during which the Angels can negotiate with Petkovsek and makes the team eligible for top-draft-pick compensation if Petkovsek signs elsewhere.

The Angels did not offer arbitration to free-agent pitcher Kent Mercker, shortstop Kevin Stocker, catcher Matt Walbeck or outfielder Ron Gant, essentially cutting ties with those players.

Belcher, however, will be at spring training in February, trying to coax a strong season out of an arm that betrayed him late in 1999, when he suffered an elbow injury that required surgery.

After signing a two-year, $10.2-million contract in December 1998, Belcher was 6-8 with a 6.73 ERA in 1999 and was limited to nine starts in 2000, going 4-5 with a 6.86 ERA. At 39, he contemplated retirement but was encouraged by several strong September starts.

The Angels did not exercise Belcher’s $5.1-million option for next season, making him a free agent. But he agreed to a deal with a low base salary and incentives that will reward him for games started and innings pitched, a deal similar to the one shortstop Gary DiSarcina signed Wednesday.

Starting pitching and shortstop were the Angels’ top priorities this off-season, but the signings of Belcher and DiSarcina won’t end General Manager Bill Stoneman’s pursuits at those positions.

The Angels aren’t in the market for Alex Rodriguez or Alex Gonzalez but Stoneman is expected to explore a trade for a younger shortstop at the winter meetings.

With the free-agent pitching market thinning quickly and the Angels reluctant to overpay for marginal starters, Stoneman could also dangle right fielder Tim Salmon or closer Troy Percival, who are in the final years of contracts, in possible deals for a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.