Angels Re-Sign Top Players

Outfielder Garret Anderson's $3.25 million option was exercised Thursday by the Anaheim Angels, who also exercised a $4.5 million option on outfielder Jim Edmonds.

Anderson, who hit .303 with 21 homers and 80 RBIs this past season, agreed in March 1997 to a $4 million, three-year contract that gave the Angels the choice of the option or a $500,000 buyout.

Edmonds was limited to 55 games because of surgery on his right shoulder early in the season and hit .250 with five homers and 23 RBIs. If the Angels had declined the option, he would have been eligible for free agents.

In April 1996, Edmonds agreed to a four-year contract that guaranteed him $5.95 million plus bonuses and escalator clauses. He wound up earning $7,925,000 over the three years.

Anderson, 27, became a regular in 1995 and has played in 150 or more games in each of the last four seasons. Edmonds, 29, averaged just under 28 homers along with 86 RBIs from 1995-98.

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