Jered Weaver Press Conference Quotes: Contract Was About Loyalty More Than Money

Aug 23 2:50p by Avinash Kunnath

Jered Weaver of the Los Angeles Angels signed a sizable deal to make sure he stayed with the Halos, but don't mistake this contract for avarice. This is someone who wanted to stay and play, even if it meant leaving some of his bargaining on the table.

In his press conference announcing the new extension, Weaver talked about loyalty and honor, and how important it was that he stay and play ball in Anaheim.

He was asked about pursuing C.C. Sabathia money and replied, "How much more do you need? ... Could have got more, whatever. Who cares?"
He told his agent Scott Boras that money was not the main issue; remaining with the Angels was.
Weaver was "not really too fond of the business side of things. ... I couldn't see myself anywhere else but here [Anaheim]." They had to work around that to negotiate a deal (which took around a month).
The money quote? "If 85 is not enough to take care of my family and generations to come, then I'm pretty stupid."

You have to admire a guy like Weaver who doesn't go all-out for the big deal at the cost of the Angels not being able to sign all the players they want. Yes, Weaver still got a hefty payday, but it's not as exorbitant as some of the baseball contracts you see handed out on a daily basis by big league market teams.

(Thanks to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times for accruing these quotes.)

For more on the Angels, go to Halos Heaven.