Last week at the press conference announcing Jered Weaver's five-year, $85 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels, the Halos' ace was adamant about his desire to return to Anaheim. The Angels got a discount, compared to what he would have received had he waited for free agency following the 2012 season, but that didn't concern Weaver. "If 85 [million] is not enough to take care of my family and generations to come, then I'm pretty stupid," he said.
That $85 million will likely take care of Weaver and his family for many years to come. Here is the year-by-year breakdown of the contract, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times:
- Signing Bonus: $1 million
- 2012: $14 million
- 2013: $16 million
- 2014: $16 million
- 2015: $18 million
- 2016: $20 million
Weaver is making $7.365 million this season, so the $15 million combined for next season and his signing bonus is likely more than he would have received in arbitration. However, the four free-agent years bought out by the contract average $17.5 million per season, less than the multi-year deals signed by both Felix Hernandez ($19.33 million per free agent year) and Justin Verlander ($20 million). Hernandez and Verlander each signed their multi-year deals with one fewer year of service time than Weaver has now.
For more news and information on Jered Weaver and the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.