Deadline Tonight for Weaver Deal

If pitcher Jered Weaver and the Angels do not agree on a contract by today’s 9 p.m. deadline, don’t blame agent Scott Boras.

So says Chris Bootcheck, a Boras client who held out after the Angels drafted him five years ago. No matter what Boras might recommend, Bootcheck said, he does not make decisions for his clients.

“That’s a misunderstanding,” Bootcheck said. “Every player is in control of what he wants. For the player, ultimately, it’s his career.”

The Angels had two first-round picks in the 2000 draft, selecting high school player Joe Torres at No. 10 and Bootcheck from Auburn at No. 20. Boras argued that Bootcheck should get a higher bonus because he would get to the major leagues faster and would be a better pitcher anyway -- in hindsight, Boras was right -- but Bootcheck signed for $1.8 million, three months after Torres signed for $2.08 million.

“What it boils down to for every player is different,” Bootcheck said. “I got to a point where I felt I had rested from my college season, the money was there for me, and I wanted to play, so that’s what it boiled down to for me.”

The Angels are offering $5.25 million to Weaver, their first-round pick last year; Boras is asking for $6 million plus $750,000 in incentives. General Manager Bill Stoneman said Sunday that he had spoken with Boras within the previous 48 hours but said neither side had budged from what each has called its final offer. Boras did not return a call for comment.

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In the week preceding the season opener, a state appellate court listened as lawyers representing the city of Anaheim argued that the Angels’ name change ought to be overturned as soon as possible, because every reference to “Los Angeles” or “LAA” would damage the city.

The court evidently does not share that urgency, since it has not ruled in the nine weeks since the hearing or the five weeks since mediation collapsed. The court has until June 27 to issue its ruling, and Anaheim co-counsel Andy Guilford said he was “not at all” concerned that delay might foretell defeat for the city.

“I think they’re carefully reviewing it,” he said. “It’s an important decision.”

ON DECK

Opponent -- Chicago White Sox, three games.

Site -- U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago.

TV -- FSN West, all three games.

Radio -- 710, 1020.

Records -- Angels 30-20, White Sox 33-17.

Record vs. White Sox -- 2-2.

Today, 1 p.m. PDT -- Jarrod Washburn (3-3, 3.73) vs. Mark Buehrle (7-1, 3.05).

Tuesday, 5 p.m. -- John Lackey (5-2, 3.88) vs. Freddy Garcia (5-3, 3.41).

Wednesday, 4 p.m. -- Paul Byrd (4-4, 4.15) vs. Jose Contreras (2-2, 3.30).

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*--* ANGELS TODAY

*--*

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

vs.

WHITE SOX’S

MARK BUEHRLE

*--* THE MATCHUP 2005 2005 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA ANGELS/Washburn (L) 3-3 3.73 5-5 0-1 6.2 5.40 Chicago/Buehrle (L) 7-1 3.05 8-2 0-0 9.0 1.00

*--*

U.S. Cellular Field, 1 p.m. PDT

TV -- FSN West. Radio -- 710, 1020.

Update -- Washburn is 3-1 with a 2.11 earned-run average on the road this season and 3-3 with a 2.79 ERA in six career games in Chicago. Buehrle, who has not lost since April 10, held the Angels to one run in nine innings in Anaheim last week.

-- Bill Shaikin