Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels have extended Maicer Izturis' contract for three years, $10MM, avoiding arbitration in the process and buying out two years of free agency as well.
Izturis had submitted an arbitration salary of $3MM, while the Angels had countered with $2.3MM.
Izturis, 29, had a terrific 2009 season, posting a .300/.359/.434 batting line while playing mainly second base for the Angels. His UZR/150 at the position was a sparkling 14.7.
Though the 2010 projection systems see some regression from his near-.800 OPS, he still profiles as a strong choice at second base. A good signing at reasonable money for the Angels here.
That’s great! He’s a real firecracker, and the Halos will need him more than ever now that Figgins is gone.
SPO!
hopefully he doesn’t throw away any more balls into left field costing the angels their playoff.
Not his usual routine though. Far from it, really.
The whole team played like crap, he was just another dude making bad plays.
buying out 2 free agent years i believe.. money involved could be interesting.
link says 10 million.. if so seems like a good value for 1 arb and 2 free agent years
Mighty Macier!
Good signing, like Mighty Maicier a lot and is good off the bench or to start if 2B, 3B or SS are injured/resting
One of the better players that people haven’t heard about. Not a lot of guys who can give you an OPS of 750-800, steal 20 bases and play average to plus defense at 2B, SS, and 3B. All that for just over $3m. Not too shabby.
If nothing else he becomes quality trade bait (assuming that Wood sticks and Kendrick can stay healthy – both big ifs).
Remind me how they got him and Rivera?
Guillen right? If I recall Guillen was moved after being benched in the post-season. The return seemed light at the time but has paid off in spades since then.
Yep, the Angels definitely got the better end of that deal.
Good news. I’ve become a fan of this guy the past couple of seasons. He always seems to come through in those cluth hitting situations. Although Reagins didn’t blow us away this off season, I think he did the best he could with what was out there. I wish Lackey and Figgy were back but not overypaying them might turn out to be the best decision they’ve made. Also, moving Matthews to the Mets was a good move. Yeah, Angels have to pay the bulk of his salary but at least he’s not taking up a roster spot and deal with his supposedly bad attitude in the clubhouse. I’m hoping next off season the Halso do a big signing since they’ll be better FAs out there. It’s going to be a close race in the AL West this year….is April here yet!??!
i think Izturis & Aybar are both really underrated both with the bat and the glove!
Definitely, and it’s typical. It’s usually the big bashers that get all the love, while in many cases it’s fire starters like those two who really get things going. Besides, that saying that “you can never have too much defense,” it ain’t just a cliché.
Macier is the perfect utility guy. He can play plus defense at each position he can and he does exactly what he’s asked to do, get on base and don’t try to do too much. Glad he’s sticking around in case anything happens.
Between Aybar and Kendrick, the Angels’ infield was supposed to be all squared away. To get this guy as your utility player for this little money is a complete steal, particularly if Kendrick regresses again.
This is a very good deal. Izturis could be a starter on a lot of teams. He actually profiles a lot like Placido Polanco, only with more pop and more speed. He is a slight guy, but has rather sneaky power and will absolutely cork one if a pitcher screws up. That and the plus defense at all three right-handed infield positions and the ability to spell Kendrick and Aybar against tough RHP is excellent.