"Howie Kendrick said he was fully aware of what effect an impressive season could make on his value as a free agent before 2013, but remaining an Angel trumped taking on the speculative venture.

"It's special to be around this organization where I grew up, to stay home," Kendrick said Tuesday in a news conference at an Anaheim restaurant to formally announce the four-year, $33.5-million contract extension he signed with the team. "I can't explain how happy I am to stay in Anaheim."

Kendrick said the team's winter acquisitions of free-agent slugger Albert Pujols, former Texas Rangers ace C.J. Wilson, veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins and catcher Chris Iannetta only emboldened his view that "you can't find a better place to play than here.""