ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SALMON AGREES TO DEAL: FOUR YEARS, $40 MILLION.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Tim Salmon agreed to a four-year, $40 million contract extension Thursday that will keep the Angels right fielder in Anaheim through the 2005 season.

The deal, which includes a $2 million signing bonus, will pay Salmon $9.25 million in 2002, $9.5 million in both '03 and '04, and $9.75 million in '05. Salmon, 32, will make $6 million this season, the final year of a four-year, $22.5 million deal.

The new deal also includes a limited no-trade clause that is in effect now through the middle of next season, when Salmon will reach 10-and-5 status - 10 years in the majors with at least five with the same club - giving him the right to veto any trade.

``I always felt if you had a chance to stay in the same place your whole career, it would be something special,'' said Salmon, who won the franchise's only Rookie of the Year award in 1993 and is the club's all- time home run leader with 230.

``It's like in college where you have an alma mater. It's something you're behind. That's what I have with the Angels. I really feel it's a part of my family. I look around and see coaches I saw when I was in A-ball scuffling. It's nice to have those long-lasting relationships.''

--Belcher in trouble: Tim Belcher's Angels career, and his major-league career in general, could be nearing an end. Belcher gave up seven runs and nine hits in four innings during a split-squad game against the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Ariz.

That, coming off an eight-run, 3 2/3-inning performance in his previous start, leaves the 39-year-old right-hander's status with the team in question. Belcher has a clause in his contract that would allow him his release from the club Sunday if he's not on the major-league roster. But Belcher has the option of sticking with the club to the end of spring training.

Or he could retire.

``The frustrating part about it is trying to gauge myself as being discouraged or encouraged instead of thinking about my next start,'' Belcher said. ``It's a lot more fun to go over hitters than to go over that.''

--More Washburn tests: Pitcher Jarrod Washburn continues to undergo tests to determine his illness. Washburn, who will miss his scheduled start Saturday, has been out all week with what initially was determined to be strep throat.

Washburn had been set to be the club's opening-day starter, but the Angels might have to adjust based on the results of more blood tests. Mononucleosis is among the ailments for which Washburn is being tested.

Washburn was given an injection of antibiotics Thursday and will begin oral antibiotics today.

--A rout: Troy Glaus, Scott Spiezio and David Eckstein each homered and Scott Schoeneweis gave up only one run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings in the Angels' 10-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

--Today: The Angels travel to Tucson to play the Colorado Rockies at 12:05 p.m. Ismael Valdes will start for the Angels against Mike Hampton.