By Steve Haston - AngelsWin.com Feature Satirist
As all Angel fans are aware, earlier this week Jered Weaver signed a team friendly extension for the next five years.
Choked up as he thanked his parents and the team, his heartfelt press conference endeared in a way that I’m sure was missing when John Lackey had his press conference in Boston. But beneath all of this, the joy, loyalty, money and game, beneath all of this is the reason Jered really signed that contract. He did it for Jeff.
Out of options, staring down the barrel of finding a back up position with a low end national league team befitting his offensive skills, Jeff spent many mornings praying that things would change. Jered answered that prayer, “The contract was for $95 million over five years. I told them to cut out $10 million and make sure Jeff stays.” The team considered all options and agreed. Jeff Mathis, likely to make league minimum or close to it with any team he signs with, would cost the Angels in the neighborhood of $3,000,000 over the next five seasons. The balance, Arte Moreno considered, was a futility tax.
On Monday’s off day before the press conference, Jeff could be found sitting in the Angels locker room. Smiling from ear to ear, he looked up at one reporter and smirked “Squat, Inc is back in business.” Sure, Jered could have signed with the Yankees, Phillies or Red Sox for two years and $60,000,000 more. That would have been the Borisian strategy. But there is something to be said for keeping the man that puts down the fingers defensively, and signals when the other team is about to bat every time he steps to the plate.
Speaking unusually candidly about the situation, Mike Scioscia commented “Jered has a very youthful outlook to both the game and life. With that come some quirks. He needs a security blanket. Jeff Mathis is Jered Weaver’s security blanket. Come to think of it, he’s mine too.” With the loss of Robb Quinlan over this past offseason, Mike has become even more attached to Jeff Mathis. Even going so far as to replay post game interviews while thundering from Thousand Oaks to Anaheim during his daily commute.
So, for now, all is well. Jeff is safe and sound, our staff ace is happy and opponents know they’re only facing 8 major league hitters when Weaver pitches.
The views expressed in this publication are the writer's and do not necessarily reflect the views of AngelsWin.com.
The views expressed in this publication are the writer's and do not necessarily reflect the views of AngelsWin.com.
