Orioles, Davis Compromise on Pact

BALTIMORE — Newly acquired first baseman Glenn Davis avoided arbitration with the Baltimore Orioles today by agreeing to a club-record $3.275-million contract for 1991.

Davis, who made $1.985 million last year with the Houston Astros, had asked for $3.65 million, while the Orioles offered $2.9 million. The figures represented the highest ever submitted for arbitration by a team and a player. By splitting the $750,000 difference, the two sides sidestepped a hearing that had been scheduled for Thursday.

Elsewhere in the American League today, the Toronto Blue Jays signed third baseman Kelly Gruber to a three-year contract, avoiding a Thursday hearing. Terms were not disclosed.

Gruber had asked for $3.3 million, while the Blue Jays offered $2.25 million.