The Angels are nearing a multiyear extension with Erick Aybar, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports. The deal with the SFX client could be announced by tomorrow.
Angels GM Jerry Dipoto recently acknowledged that the club has made progress in discussions with Aybar, who had been scheduled to hit free agency this coming offseason. Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times reported this week that the sides had yet to agree on the value of the deal. The Angels prefer to sign Aybar for something close to Howie Kendrick’s four-year, $33.5MM extension, but the shortstop appears to seek at least five years and $50M. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has heard that the Angels have been proposing a four-year deal in the $35MM range (Twitter link).
MLBTR's Extension Tracker offers a look at recent extensions for shortstops around MLB.
Okay, this extension stuff is starting to get a bit ridiculous. MLB gms- Just say no!
Seriously… the offseasons are about to become a lot less interesting with every interesting player below the age of 30 already extended…
Aybar is just a good defensive SS with a average bat. Most teams have somebody like this. If the Angels sign him anymore than 6 million a year they are just crazy.
Aybar was worth 4.0 WAR last year. Most teams do NOT have a guy like that.
I disagree. I’m a Rangers fan and have seen a lot of Aybar these last few years (basically, since he and Maicer came up), and he’s not an “average bat”. A shortstop with some power, solid average, and GG-caliber defense is worth more than 6 million/year. Granted, his glove is just a notch below Andrus’
This is a good signing. With Aybar, Kendrick, and Bourjos, this team is incredibly tough up the middle. Aybar is getting better all the time at the lead-off spot…he’s worth it.
Aybar OBP trend:
2009: .353
2010: .306
2011: .322
2012: .231
Maybe his splits say he’s a great leadoff guy (didnt’ check), but not sure about the “getting better” part.
What’s the trend? Also, posting a players OBP after 11 games is absurd when trying to prove a trend.
No kidding. Small sample size anyone?
Maybe he’d like to trade for Shelley Duncan. He’s got a .514 OBP in 2012!
In all likelihood, Trout is going to be the Angels’ leadoff hitter for the forseeable future starting sometime this summer. In that scenario, Aybar would move back down to the 8 or 9 spot, where he’s performed better in the past (see 2009).
I think you’re probably right about the splits. Most of Aybar’s success in 2009 came when he hit lower in the order. He went from hacking at everything to trying to see too many pitches. He’s grown more comfortable now. I’m sure you would agree that the 2012 number comes from far too low a sample size.
These are crazy times in baseball. A guy who is essentially Ivan DeJesus is going to get $35M+.
Anyone else think a $8-9MM average is WAY too much for a guy like Aybar? Greed+desperation=overpay
*sigh*
“Greed+desperation”
We should start naming these types the Dominik Dunn contracts, on honor of the documentary television show as they are “murder” on the signing team…
if Aybar made it to free agency he’d get atleast $10 mil a year! gold glove shortstops are so valuable in the game today. Aybar is one of the best and has a solid bat with speed and the ability to lay one down. Kid can do it all. Nice extension especially with Trumbo slotting in at 3rd base, Angels need to keep that side of the infield as strong as possible.
Aybar won the gold glove last year. So you can argue he’s the best defensive short stop in the AL and maybe the MLB. He’s also a clutch hitter with speed. To pay 7 to 8 million sounds like market value. Remember, the average MLB salary is over 3 million a year. You don’t think the Redsox would pay 8 or 9 million a year for Aybar next year?
There is also something to be said for keeping a core together, especially a good double play combo. The Angels have excellent chemistry, and Aybar is a big part of that.
[Insert Derek Jeter Gold Glove joke here.]
Not sure he’s even a top-10 defensive SS.
As an Angels fan, this kind of seems like a silly extension unless the Halos get a great deal. The Angels second best prospect, Jean Segura (SS), is almost ready for the big leagues, and teams should be in the business of utilizing their farm system when it’s appropriate. You can’t always extend everyone, and I think extending Howie Kendrick and letting Aybar walk would have been the right move.
Guy is hitting under the Mendoza line to start off the year and all of a sudden he’s willing to negotiate. Don’t like what I hear about this extension so far. Hope it turns out to be a little more team-friendly than what’s being reported.
Funny thing is that Kendrick is probably a better defender and definitely a better bat. Aybar plays a more difficult position, but that doesn’t make up for it. That said, Aybar is incredibly toolsy and has never come close to his potential. His potential is Rafael Furcal without the injuries. Has plenty of pop, speed, arm and range. Just never puts it together.