Major League Baseball

Angels, Kendrick agree to $33.5M, 4-year deal

Published Jan. 10, 2012 1:52 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

All-Star second baseman Howie Kendrick agreed to a $33.5 million, four-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, passing up a chance to hit the free-agent market after next season.

The move was the latest in a busy offseason spending spree for Angels owner Arte Moreno and new general manager Jerry Dipoto.

The 28-year-old Kendrick batted .285 with a career-best 18 homers and 63 RBIs while committing just four errors in 140 games last year, earning a spot on his first AL All-Star team. He was eligible for arbitration this offseason.

Los Angeles' payroll will be among the majors' biggest next season, with about $130 million already committed to 15 players. The Angels added Albert Pujols with a $240 million, 10-year deal, left-hander C.J. Wilson with a $77.5 million, five-year contract and reliever LaTroy Hawkins with a $3 million, one-yearagreement.

Dipoto has discussed a long-term contract extension with shortstop Erick Aybar, who also is eligible for arbitration. Third baseman Alberto Callaspo and long-injured first baseman Kendrys Morales also are arbitration-eligible.

Kendrick was among the Angels' top prospects when he reached the majors in 2006, but his path to a contract extension wasn't linear.

He had only part-time playing duty in his first three seasons, and the Angels sent him to the minors midway through the 2009 season after a prolonged slump. But Kendrick bounced back solidly late that season, and he has been a dependable everyday player for the past two years.

Kendrick had a career-high 75 RBIs in 2010 while batting .279 and appearing in all but four games for the Angels.

Last season, Kendrick became the Angels' first All-Star second baseman since Johnny Ray in 1988. He also is valuable for his versatility, occasionally playing first base and even starting 20 games in left field last May while Vernon Wells was injured.

Kendrick gets a $1.4 million signing bonus, of which $300,000 is payable within 30 days of approval of the contract by the commissioner's office, $300,000 on Jan. 15 next year, and $400,000 apiece on Jan. 15 in 2014 and 2015.

He receives salaries of $4.5 million this year, $8.75 million in 2013, $9.35 million in 2014 and $9.5 million in 2015.

Kendrick has the right to block trades to 15 teams this year, 12 in 2013, six in 2014 and four in 2015.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball