Angels catcher Jeff Mathis agrees to $1.7-million contract for 2011

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Catcher Jeff Mathis, perhaps knowing he had virtually no chance of another win in arbitration this winter, agreed to terms on a $1.7-million contract with the Angels on Wednesday, a moderate raise from his 2010 salary of $1.3 million.

Mathis beat the Angels in arbitration last winter, earning a salary that was significantly higher than the $700,000 figure submitted by the Angels.

But after hitting only .195 with three home runs, six doubles and 18 runs batted in during a 2010 season in which he was hampered by a wrist injury and limited to 68 games, Mathis had very little to build an arbitration case around.

The Angels have now agreed to terms with two of their eight arbitration-eligible players, Mathis and infielder Alberto Callaspo. The other six are pitcher Jered Weaver, catcher Mike Napoli, first baseman Kendry Morales, second baseman Howie Kendrick, shortstop Erick Aybar and outfielder Reggie Willits.

--Mike DiGiovanna