The Angels got all sorts of deserved flak for taking on $81 million of Vernon Wells’ contract in a trade with the Blue Jays last week. But they could end their offseason on a high note.
According to Mark Saxson of ESPN L.A., the Halos have opened long-term contract discussions with ace right-hander Jered Weaver.
Weaver, 28, posted a stellar 3.01 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 34 starts last season, fanning 233 batters and walking only 54 in 224.1 innings of work. He features a strong four-pitch arsenal and looks to be entering his prime.
The Angels offered the righty a $7.365 million salary last Tuesday when arbitration figures were exchanged and Weaver’s people countered at $8.8 million. Those numbers can be thrown out if a multi-year pact is agreed upon. If it doesn’t happen, the two sides will have to either find a middle ground or they will head to an arbitration hearing and one of the two figures will be selected by a third party.
