Angels and SS Izturi Reach 1-year, $1.6M Deal. Avoid Arbitration

The Los Angeles Angels and shortstop Maicer Izturi have agreed to a 1-year, $1.6 million deal, thus avoiding salary arbitration. The Angels were offering $1.4 million in salary arbitration while Izturi was seeking $1.885 million. The $1.6 million that Izturi will make in 2009 is $42,500 below the mid-point of the two figures. Izturi will see a raise of 33 percent over his 2008 salary of $1.2 million. Izturis, 28, spent his fourth season with the Angels in 2008 and batted .269 (78/290) with 14 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 37 RBIs in 79 games. He was the Angels' Opening Day shortstop but underwent season-ending surgery in mid-August after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb (he missed 61 games due to two DL stints in 2008; also suffered strained lower back in May). Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Cleveland Indians, April 1, 1998, Izturis was traded to the Montreal Expos (with OF Ryan Church) for LHP Scott Stewart, Jan. 5, 20...