The Los Angeles Angels according to multiple reports are close to a contract extension with shortstop Erick Aybar, nearing a four-year, $35 million deal. General manager told Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, "We're very close. We have some details to sow up."
The deal could be done as soon as Thursday, when Aybar is scheduled to receive his Gold Glove before the game in Anaheim. But whenever the deal gets done, the Halos have locked up a player who has averaged just over three wins above replacement (per both Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs) over the last three seasons.
It continues a trend for the Angels, who also signed second baseman Howie Kendrick to a four-year, $33.5 million extension in January. Kendrick, like Aybar, could have been a free agent after 2012. The Angels have this core for the next few years:
- 1B Albert Pujols: signed through 2021, you may have heard about it
- 2B Howie Kendrick: signed through 2015
- SS Erick Aybar: about to be signed through 2016
- CF Peter Bourjos: under team control through 2016
- OF Mike Trout: under team control through at least 2017
- 3B/DH Mark Trumbo: under team control through 2016
- SP Jered Weaver: signed through 2016
- SP C.J. Wilson: signed through 2016
- SP Dan Haren: club option for 2013
- SP Ervin Santana: club option for 2013
- CL Jordan Walden: under team control through 2016
Even with the $63 million due Vernon Wells through 2014, that is a solid core that figures to be together for at least the next two seasons and in many cases much longer. It will be interesting to see going forward if Haren and/or Santana are next in line for contract extensions.
For more news and notes on Erick Aybar and the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.