Halos Lock Up Figgans and Rivera

[Chisox73]

The Angels inked INF/OF Chone Figgans to a new 3-year contract,and also inked OF/DH Juan Rivera to a 2-year deal today.Both players avoid arbitration.Financial terms were not disclosed as of this posting.

Figgans led the American League with 62 stolen bases in 2005.He became the 1st Angel to score 100 runs and swipe at least 50 bases in the sma eseason.He also set an Angels record for a switch-hitter with 186 hits last season.He also led the club with 113 runs scored.

Rivera came to the Angels in November,2004 along with Macier Izturis from Washington for OF Jose Guillen.He hit a career high 15 homers and drove in 59 in 84 starts for the Halos in '05.

[VTSoxFan]

It's good to see some American League teams building a team with the best of fundamentals -- speed. It's a very exciting brand of baseball to watch.

On a somewhat related note..... last summer I was watching the ESPN highlights of an Angels game with the sound off, so the close captions came on. Instead of Juan Rivera in the outfield it said (get ready)... JOAN RIVERS.

I almost fell off the couch!