Figgins Becomes a Money Player

Chone Figgins’ versatility and productivity paid off in a big way Saturday when the utility player agreed to terms with the Angels on a three-year, $10.5-million contract. The Angels also avoided arbitration with Juan Rivera by signing the reserve outfielder to a two-year deal, believed to be worth about $3.5 million.

“We just announced two,” said Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman, who also hopes to secure arbitration-eligible pitchers John Lackey, Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields to multi-year deals. “It’s possible there will be others.”

Figgins, selected by teammates as co-most valuable player with Bartolo Colon, was the only major leaguer to start at six positions in 2005. The leadoff batter hit .290 with a .352 on-base percentage, he led the major leagues with 62 stolen bases and set career bests in runs (113), doubles (25) and home runs (eight).

“Figgy’s been really key to us for the last few years because he can play a lot of positions and play them well,” Stoneman said. “It’s nice to reward a guy who puts out his effort and has his great attitude.”

Figgins, who made $390,000 in 2005, will make $2.25 million next season, $3.5 million in 2007 and $4.75 million in 2008. Because he is what’s known as a “super-two” player, with two years and 145 days of service time, Figgins, who turns 28 on Jan. 22, will be eligible for arbitration for one more season, in 2009, before becoming a free agent.

Rivera, acquired from Washington last winter, hit .271 with a career-high 15 home runs and 59 runs batted in despite playing in just 106 games and getting only 350 at-bats.

The Venezuelan native started the club’s final 17 games, a span in which the Angels went 14-3 to seal their second straight division title, and he hit .353 (12 for 34) with two homers and nine RBIs in the team’s last eight games.

Rivera, who is expected to get considerable time next season in the outfield and at designated hitter, also hit .308 from Aug. 1 until the end of the season.

“He contributed in a lot of ways people don’t see,” Stoneman said. “He’s easy to underrate because he’s so quiet, but there’s some lightning in his bat and in his arm. If one of our [starting outfielders] goes down, he gives you a really good guy to put out there. I think he’s going to be a key guy for us.”