Angels agree to terms with SS Erick Abyar on 2012 deal
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The Angels avoided arbitration with Erick Aybar on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with the shortstop on a $5.075-million deal for 2012, and they will continue their attempts to secure the slick-fielding switch-hitter to a long-term deal.
‘We are continuing to work toward an extended contract and definitely desire to keep Erick in an Angels uniform for the long term,’ General Manager Jerry Dipoto said in a text message.
With all of their arbitration-eligible players under contract for 2012, the Angels now have about $145 million committed to 18 players next season. Their final payroll is expected to be about $150 million, only $8 million more than in 2011, despite the additions of marquee free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, whose deals were back-loaded.
Aybar, 28, hit .279 with a .322 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, eight triples, 33 doubles, 59 runs batted in and 71 runs last season while batting in six spots in the lineup. He also stole 30 bases, was caught stealing only six times and won his first Gold Glove Award.
The six-year veteran has a .276 career average with 24 homers, 98 doubles, 206 RBIs and 78 stole bases.
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-- Mike DiGiovanna