Jered Weaver and Los Angeles Angels at odds over salary arrangements
Jered Weaver and the Los Angeles Angels went to an arbitration hearing on Wednesday to decide the Halos ace salary for 2011.
The 28 year-old pitcher was immensely impressive with his strike outs last season; his salary demand is now being discussed over an arbitration panel following the Angels’ staunch move to deny the player an increment in his base pay.
The player is requesting a figure of $8.8 million for the 2011 campaign: a substantial increase from his base pay of just $4.265. The Angels know Weaver’s contribution was immense, but their offer is $7.375 million, $ 1.5 million less than what the Halos
ace wants.
The Angels and Weaver have handed over their respective figures to the arbitration panel.
Weaver was incredible last year in the Major Leagues with 233 strikeouts. Weaver’s Earning Runs Average (ERA) was as low as 3.01 in 2010. Furthermore, his wins to losses tally wavered and his figures posted 13 victories and 12 defeats in a career high, 34
starts. He was also second to Cliff Lee in base runners allowed per nine innings. The posted figure for that category was 9.67.
The Angels have been trying to contain their costs before the new season kicks off but the real problem comes in the form of arranging incentives for existing players. Weaver’s move to arbitration can be viewed as a safe route to demand something that he
feels is owed to him for his service for the club.
The question that many baseball fans and analysts will be asking is whether Weaver deserves a raise or not?
Reports say that the two sides have also begun talking on the possibility of signing Weaver to a long term extension. It is important to note that Weaver is eligible for free agency after the 2012 season, thus the Angels may shell out the dough to keep the
starting pitcher in the team.
Experts say a midpoint figure of around $8 million could be acceptable to both parties.
The arbitration panel will announce its decision on 10 February, 2011.
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