European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                 Ball control at Cleveland a John Battle above right takes an Elbow from driving Paul Graham of Atlanta while Boston s John Bagley below right passes off past Utah s Mike Brown. See Page 26 for reports on Friday night s Aba games. Deals Viola polishes fat contract new York a Frank Viola finished off his move to the Boston red sox and fired one More shot at the new York mets while his former team tried to fill a Hole by bringing Back Willie Randolph to new York. Viola became the fourth highest paid Pitcher in the majors when he agreed to a three year $13.9 million contract with the red sox on Friday. He is expected to be Bostons no. 2 starter behind Roger Clemens the three time by Young award Winner. A a in be always enjoyed pitching there a Viola said. Quot great Mound. Great place to play. Real great fans. Something different that in a not used to is great defense behind me. And there a great  Viola 32 next april 19, often complained about the Metsy Fielding which was among the worst in the majors. To improve for next year they signed Randolph to play second baseman a position that caused a lot of problems last season. Texas signed Pitcher Todd bums to a minor league contract and outfielder Gerald Young who made $415,000 last season with Houston agreed to a $310,000 contract with the astros with another $160,000 in performance bonuses. Meanwhile at least 13 players became free agents Friday when their clubs failed to offer contracts for the 1992 season pitchers Doug Jones and Eric King and outfielder Chris James of Cleveland Pitcher Jeff Kaiser Catcher Andy Allan son and infielder Johnny Paredes of Detroit Pitcher Allan Anderson of Minnesota pitchers Rob Murphy and Scott Bankhead of Seattle shortstop Jeff Kun Kel of Texas Pitcher Mark Grant of Atlanta Pitcher Joe Boever of Philadelphia and infielder Phil Stephenson of san Diego. Boston like Toronto had been interested in both Viola and Jack Morris. The Blue jays got Morris earlier this week so the red sox were left with Viola 13-15 with a 3.97 Era last season. Quot As Long As my fingers 100 percent i should be All right Quot said Viola who after the season had a cyst removed the ring Finger of his left hand. The stars and stripes december 22,1991 Page 28 Quot i also had an infected Nail a ripped Middle Finger that became infected. All i could throw without discomfort was a four seam fastball. I m not a one pitch Pitcher. I got killed because of  meanwhile Gladden was angered the twins were offering him a Cut. The red sox Viola Deal is contingent on Viola passing an examination monday and another probably tuesday with or. Richard Caspari in Richmond a. A there Are no physical problems a violas agent Craig Fenech said. Caspari examined Viola s Elbow last Spring. Viola had Elbow chips that mets team doctors said were not significant enough to affect his pitching. Clemens who averages $5,380,250 per year is the second highest paid Pitcher behind Jack Morris who signed wednesday with Toronto for $5,425,000 a year. Dwight Gooden violas former teammate with the mets is third at $5.15 Mil Hon. Randolph Pecota shrink Magadan s role by Marty Noble new Day new York with the arrival of Willie Randolph the future of Dave Magadan once again became shrouded in uncertainty. Manager Jeff Torborg announced that he intends to use Randolph As his regular second baseman and no. 2 Batter and indicated that the role awaiting Magadan will be diminished. The mets said they Are no More Likely to Deal Magadan now but their ambitious plans for Randolph and Bill Pecota appear to reduce Magadan s value to the club. Magadan said the developments did t Surprise him and that All he wants is a a fair Chance to win the third base Job  he intends to Call Torborg this weekend to discuss the matter. After the mets signed Randolph to a one year contract for $850,000, he was identified As the regular second baseman. Torborg shied away from the word platoon instead he said he will use a Quot rotational arrangements involving third base second base and occasionally shortstop. And whether it s Pecota Magadan or Donnels the third baseman will Bat sixth. A i done to know How much Willie will play a the manager said. Quot but we have Cut Down How much the left handed hitters Magadan and Donnels will  the manager envisioned an infield defense far Superior to what the mets deployed the past two seasons praised Randolph s ability to turn the double play and reiterated that Pecota is the team s Best defensive third baseman. A i wanted Willie on the Field and Pecota in there too a he  sports Aba Box scores standings a Page 21 fridays hockey summaries a Page 22 pro football on to tonight a Page 24 athletes Battle drug addiction a Page 25 Valvano nets reportedly agree / la a n v it Ivi i it / a a. A i. Charlotte . Apr former North Carolina state basketball coach Jim Valvano has reached an agreement to become head coach of the new Jersey nets a newspaper reported. The agreement allows Valvano to take Over the team As soon As he wants but he a not expected to do so until after Christmas the Charlotte observer reported. Valvano 45, is believed to have agreed late Friday night to a five year $2.7 Mil lion contract which would rank among the top half of Aba salaries for head coaches the newspaper reported. Reached at his hotel room in Bristol conn., Friday night Valvano refused to comment. Valvano a native of new York City and a former coach at Iona is scheduled to replace Bill Fitch who has a 50-138 record in three seasons with the nets after Friday nights Home loss to the Chicago bulls. Valvano has worked As a College basketball commentator for esp and Abc since being forced out of his Job at . State after an Mcaa investigation and still unconfirmed reports of Point shaving by Wolf pack players. Valvano was 209-114 in 10 seasons at . State. . State was placed on Mcaa probation and forced to sit out the 1990 Mcaa tournament because players sold shoes and complimentary game tickets