Angels tie up Weaver before free agency looms
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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Angels have secured the services of their ace pitcher for the next half a decade after Jered Weaver agreed to a five-year contract extension with the AL West team on Sunday.
The contract, worth $85 million according to Major League baseball's website (mlb.com), will be formally announced at a news conference at Angel Stadium on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old was due to become a free agent after the 2012 season but OPted to commit to his hometown franchise and the team with which he has spent his first six seasons in the Major League.
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After a promising start to his career, the power-pitching Weaver is clearly reaching new levels this season as he has posted a 14-6 record with an American League-leading 2.10 ERA.
Weaver, who led the Major League in strikeouts last season, started the All-Star Game for the AL side last month in his second consecutive appearance as an All Star.
He currently has the Angels (69-59) locked in an AL West race with the Texas Rangers who lead the division by four games.
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(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)