The Angels avoided arbitration with shortstop Erick Aybar, signing him to a one-year deal worth at least $2.05MM, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. Aybar can earn $100K in bonuses if he makes 625 plate appearances this year.
The sides agreed on a deal $200K below the midpoint. The Angels had offered $1.75MM and Aybar countered with $2.75MM. This is Aybar's first season as an arbitration-eligible player. He isn't expected to hit free agency until after the 2012 season.
Aybar, who turned 26 last month, hit .312/.353/.423 in 556 plate appearances for the Angels last year. He added value in nearly 1200 innings at short last year, posting a UZR/150 of 7.6.
I think that if Aybar were on the free agent market, he would have gotten more money.
There are a lot of overpaid shortstops who don’t produce and defend like Aybar does but then again, Aybar only has one full season in the Majors. I see him in a few years being one of the best shortstops in the game.
certainly would’ve gotten more money- but then player’s never get what they would’ve in their first year of arbitration. Definitely looks like a bargain for the LAA
Aybar is a dynamic player on both offense and defense, in my eyes he’s been very Reyes-esque. I like the signing for both Aybar and the Angels. I’m surprised for him to agree to a deal that was lower than the middle ground, although maybe he doesn’t want to upset the Angels Front Office ala GMJ.
Couple of things …
1. Of course, this is much less than what he would have received on the open market. He was nearly a 4 WAR player. His FA market value was $17m in 09. He wouldn’t make that much, but certainly something in the $10m+ range would be appropriate given his age.
2. He’s Reyes like minus the SB and power. He can run fast but that hasn’t translated to SB ability … yet.
3. My biggest gripe with Aybar going into last season was his low baseball IQ. Poor decision making in fielding, running and hitting. I think 2009 was a great step forward. The number of stupid plays was reduced dramatically. Now, if the guy can continue to keep his OBP in the 360 range and figure out how to steal a base (he’s extremely fast) you could be looking at one of the top 5 SS’s in baseball. Projecting in the next few years a line of 320/370/450 w/30SB’s + top 5 defense is a possibility.
A wise move by the Halos. Aybar’s performance had me looking at this as the most likely (of the 5 that were remaining) to be a player win in arb. A quality player, historically, gets about $3MM in his first arb year. I strongly suspect that the Halos saved at least $600K here, and probably made the player’s attitude, going into camp, much better than it would have been.
Aybar is a dope player a I like him a lot. I see him like a Reyes, Rollins type player. Not as powerful or athletic, but overall Aybar is that kind of player. The Angels this year will be looking at his ability in the lead off spot, Aybar’s all around consistency and base running improvements. The good thing about a player like Erick Aybar is hes young and just going to keep getting better. Especially with an organization like the Angels. Anyway i say if Aybar has a big year its very possibly a contract could come into play. I would say 4 yr $22.5 – 25 Mil with an opt. No doubt about it.