Poll: Erick Aybar’s Extension
Yesterday we learned that the Angels reached agreement with shortstop Erick Aybar on a four-year, $35MM deal. Today, the particulars of the deal went public: Aybar will earn $8.5MM per year with a $1MM signing bonus and won't have a no-trade clause. The deal, which is similar to Howie Kendrick's extension, marks a significant pay bump for the 28-year-old who avoided arbitration this winter by agreeing to a one-year, $5.075MM deal.
The dollar figure may strike some as high, particularly with prospect Jean Segura waiting in the wings. However, the 22-year-old shortstop remains in Double-A Arkansas and missed significant time with hamstring issues throughout 2011. The lack of a no-trade clause for Aybar also gives the Halos flexibility down the line. If Segura shows that he is ready to take over the starting job, Aybar should attract a fair amount of interest if he can produce at the plate like he did in 2011. If Segura doesn't progress as expected, then the Angels will have their shortstop situation covered for the next five seasons.
The Angels certainly aren't afraid to spend and have doled out $68.5MM in new deals to lock up their double play combination in 2012. All things considered, do you like the extension from the Halos' perspective?
Do You Like The Aybar Extension For The Angels?
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Yes 51% (2,396)
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No 49% (2,280)
Total votes: 4,676
Angels, Erick Aybar Agree To Extension
Months after signing second baseman Howie Kendrick to an extension, the Angels have agreed to extend shortstop Erick Aybar with a four-year contract beginning in 2013. The new portion of the deal is worth $35MM and will pay $8.5MM per season with a $1MM signing bonus.
Kendrick’s four-year, $33.5MM extension was apparently used as framework for Aybar’s deal, though the shorstop was reportedly seeking at least five years and $50MM. As our Extension Tracker shows, Aybar joins Troy Tulowitzki and Alexei Ramirez as the only shortstops to sign extensions worth $30MM or more in recent years.
Aybar, 28, has been the Halos’ regular shortstop since the start of the 2008 season. He’s hit .278/.322/.386 during that time, doing his best work in 2009 (.312/.353/.423) and 2011 (.279/.322/.421). Aybar reached both the 30 stolen base and ten home run plateaus for the first time in his career last season. He took home a Gold Glove Award last year and ranks eighth among all shortstops with a +2.6 UZR/150 since the start of 2010.
MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez first reported the agreement while Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times and ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link) had the terms of the deal. Mike Axisa and Zach Links contributed to this post.
Angels, Erick Aybar Nearing Extension
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.
Angels Notes: Aybar, Gonzalez, Thompson
It's early, but this wasn't the start the Angels were hoping for. They've lost more games than they've won, allowed more runs than they've scored and Albert Pujols still isn't hitting. Here are some links as we await tonight's home game against the Athletics…
- GM Jerry Dipoto told Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that he remains very confident the Angels will be able to sign Erick Aybar long-term. “I'm very encouraged by where we are and that we will ultimately get there," he said. The Angels would prefer to sign Aybar for something close to Howie Kendrick’s four-year, $33.5MM extension, but the shortstop appears to be seeking at least five years and $50MM.
- MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez hears the Angels offered free agent left-hander Mike Gonzalez the same minor league deal they offered Jason Isringhausen. Gonzalez seeks more money and wasn't interested, however.
- There are no takers for Rich Thompson so far, Gonzalez writes. The Angels are shopping the recently-designated right-hander since his velocity is down and they don't trust him in high-leverage situations. The Angels would like to bring up ground ball pitcher David Carpenter.
Quick Hits: Hunter, Angels, Royals, Draft
The Dodgers improved to 9-1 tonight with a win over the Padres and did so in impressive fashion. With the score tied 4-4, the Dodgers turned a triple play in the top of the ninth – their first since 1998. Dee Gordon later scored the game winning run with a single to left to give Los Angeles the 5-4 victory. It's hard to imagine a better outcome for the Dodgers on a day dedicated to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. A look at links from around baseball tonight..
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter) talked to Angels outfielder Torii Hunter about how long he wants to play and in the back of his mind, the outfielder wonders if he might have a chance to play with his son, Torii Jr. The 36-year-old's son is a high school senior and considering a handful of Division-I baseball programs. Hunter is in the final season of a five-year, $90MM contract with the Angels.
- Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow tries to make sure the team has a scout at every game involving players who might be taken with the first overall pick, writes MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The GM doesn't expect the club to decide who they're going to take until close to the Draft as there is no clear cut No. 1 choice.
- As the draft draws closer, industry speculation is that the Royals are targeting LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman with the fifth-overall pick, writes Keith Law of ESPN.com. Law assumes that he would be Kansas City's pick if Byron Buxton, Mark Appel, Kyle Zimmer, and Mike Zunino are the first four off of the board.
Angels To Shop Rich Thompson
The Angels will look to trade right-hander Rich Thompson over the next few days before placing him on waivers, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (via Twitter). However, Gonzalez adds that it's hard to envision a taker for him given the drop in his velocity.
Thompson, 27, was designated for assignment by the Halos early Saturday morning. The right-hander posted a 3.00 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 54 innings for the Angels in 2011 and may be claimed if he is ultimately waived.
Angels Notes: Wilson, Thompson, Pujols, Morales
After dropping three straight, the Angels were especially glad to top the Yankees 7-1 yesterday in the Bronx. Here's a look at some items on the Halos as they face the Bombers again this evening..
- Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson nearly wound up signing with the Marlins, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Wilson's agent Bob Garber was moments away from accepting an offer from Miami unless the Angels went from a four-year deal to five. Halos GM Jerry Dipoto was preoccupied with the Albert Pujols negotiations but agreed to go to five years and hammer out the dollar figure later.
- Reliever Rich Thompson could be a good fit for the Yankees, writes Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues. The Angels designated the 27-year-old for assignment yesterday to create roster space for Brad Mills.
- Even with the addition of Pujols and the return of Kendrys Morales, the Angels have shown early tendencies that are likely to hamper the offense in the long term if not corrected, writes Wendy Thurm of Fangraphs for ESPN.com (Insider req'd).
East Links: Podsednik, Carroll, Thomas, Izzy, A-Rod
AL MVP runner-up Jacoby Ellsbury sublexed his shoulder in yesterday's game and there is no timetable for his return (Twitter link). The Red Sox will call up Che-Hsuan Lin to take his roster spot. Here's the latest from baseball's two East divisions…
- Scott Podsednik could be an option for the Red Sox following Ellsbury's injury, says Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The Phillies would let Podsednik out of his minor league deal for a big league job, and Rosenthal says they could also trade for a Marlon Byrd or Coco Crisp type later in the season.
- With some help from a reader, Rosenthal speculates that the recently DFA'd Brett Carroll and Clete Thomas could also be fits for the Red Sox following Ellsbury's injury (Twitter links).
- "I’m still thankful they gave me the chance," said Angels reliever Jason Isringhausen to Dan Martin of The New York Post, referring to his time with the Mets last season. Izzy said he spoke to the Mets about a return this offseason.
- Alex Rodriguez hit his 630th career home run yesterday, tying him with Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth on the all-time list. Joel Sherman of The New York Post says his homer bonuses will become an issue for the Yankees if they intend to get under the $189MM luxury tax threshold by 2014. A-Rod will get $6MM each for his 660th, 714th, 755th, 762nd, and 763rd career homers.
Angels Designate Rich Thompson For Assignment
The Angels have designated Rich Thompson for assignment, reports MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (on Twitter). The move creates roster space for Brad Mills.
Thompson, 27, has allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings this year. The Australian-born right-hander pitched to a 3.00 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 54 innings for the Halos last summer. He is out of options and could not be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers, and there's a chance Thompson will be claimed given his strong 2011 performance.
The Angels acquired Mills from the Blue Jays in exchange for Jeff Mathis back in December.
Rangers Notes: Hamilton, Wilson, Daniels
The 5-2 Rangers send Matt Harrison to the mound in Minnesota tonight. Here are some Rangers-related notes…
- While GM Jon Daniels isn't wild about mid-season contract talks he told Jim Duquette and Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio (audio link) that the club is still open to getting a new deal done with Josh Hamilton. Hamilton is also open to talking about a deal during the season.
- Hamilton has suggested to the Rangers that he should be paid like an elite player, but Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com says the outfielder will have to make some compromises on his next contract. The Rangers may seek contract language that protects them against drug or injury issues and probably wouldn't feel comfortable offering a nine or ten-year deal. Yesterday we asked readers about Hamilton’s next contract.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News that he's appreciative of C.J. Wilson's years with the Rangers, but doesn't want to discuss last offseason's contract negotiations publicly. Wilson said on The Dan Patrick Show that the Rangers "wasted" his time over the winter (audio here via sportsradiointerviews.com).
Zach Links contributed to this post.