Mariners Sign Jeff Weaver

UPDATE: The Seattle Times says it's a done deal at one year, $8MM.  Weaver can earn another $1.4MM in incentives.

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times indicated today that the Ms and Jeff Weaver are nearing a one-year contract, as the pitcher would like to re-enter the free agent market after the season.  (However, Adam Rubin says it's for two years and about $16MM).

The signing would push southpaw Jake Woods to the bullpen.  The Ms signed another southpaw, Arthur Rhodes, to help in the pen as well.  Rhodes pitched for Seattle from 2000-03 before leaving as a free agent.

Both the Times and the PI indicate that Seattle's second choice would be Mark Redman if the Weaver deal falls through.  The Cardinals had offered Weaver a base of $6MM per season over two years, plus incentives, but they appear out of the mix.  Same goes for the Bucs.

Comments

[wmk51]

As a die hard Cardinal's fan I have to say i am shocked...Weaver is a fool if this is true.

I appreciate his help in getting to and winning the world series, but this is an Edgar Renteria like move, signing elsewhere for a million or 2 more because of greed.

I will never frogive Weaver (for whatever thats worth lol) if he signed with the friggin Mariners.

[Marvel]

wmk51,
Weaver was a Cardinal for less than 4 months. Greed or loyalty has nothing to do with it. He's a free agent with no long affiliation, he should go to the team that offers him what he wants. I don't know how that would make him a fool. I honestly think he should go for the most money possible. He generally hasn't been very good and he needs to strike while he is valuable.

[Aduncaroo]

agreed. I think Cards fans are just worried about the rotation they are sporting for next year. I know I would be. They are down to plan F at this point...Jocketty is great, but at some point he is going to have to stop bargain shopping or be willing to give up someone like Duncan...otherwise, he is rolling the dice with the rotation he has now.

[registereduser]

The Cardinals are better for not signing Weaver. Weaver figures to have an era around 4.50 this year. I think Chris Navarason or Brad Thompson could do that for 380k, so there is no reason to spend 8MM on him.

Besides, if you give Walt Jocketty 8MM to use at the trading deadline he could be deadly. Dont forget the Cardinals minor league system is suddenly full of talent at the lower levels. It could be an interesting July in STL.

[Guitar Hero]

What's wrong with Mark Redman, he might actually be good for the Cardinals?

[Aduncaroo]

You have to get to July before you know if its going to be interesting or not. There is no telling what is going to happen right now in the Central. The Cards could run away with it or could be 10 out by the break. If the questions in the rotation go the wrong way, they could easily be too late by trying to aquire someone in July. Think about it. They could be good if Wells, Reyes, and Wainright pan out. Even if only 2 of them do. But it is very possible Wells will SUCK, because he usually does, and if Wainright can't handle starting and go deep into games, and Reyes pitches the way he did when they decided to send him back down to the minors last year, then there is a real chance there will be no reason to make a huge trade. Not saying they will be out of it, because they have as good of a chance as anyone in this division, but it is a possibility that every fan of any team in this division must acknowledge.

[Aduncaroo]

Oh, and by the way RegisteredUser, I think you are on to something. If I were a Cardinal Fan, I would really hope that they give Baby Face Thompson a legitimate shot. He very well could be the answer they are looking for. Didn't he set a record in the minors for most consecutive innings without allowing an Earned Run? He did it as a starter, I don't know how they can ignore that.

[stormstarter28]

I think wmk was calling Weaver a fool because he doesn't think Weaver will succeed in Seattle, and I agree. He has a much better chance under Duncan and in the weak-hitting NL Central than he does in the AL. He said nothing about loyalty in his post...obviously Weaver has very little reason to be loyal to the Cards (except that we gave him a chance when it seems no one else would), but that it would be foolish for him to go back to the AL West and likely get dumped again.

[plh903]

If Jeff Weaver was the answer it was over before it started. Three pre-arb guys possibly in the rotation a year after a World Series win, Cy Young winner and more payroll flexibility than you can imagine? Absolutely.

Good luck Jeff, you said it was about the years and being back in St. Louis and not the money, and now you are going to Seattle for a one-year deal. Cool.

Remember to his your spots against lefties, or it's going to be a long season!

[plh903]

July is the deadline, not the only time deals are allowed to be made.

Jocketty fleeced the Angels a few years ago in Spring Training. We'll see what happens. I am sure the Cubs didn't spend $300M to be the worst team in baseball again.

[Guru4u]

Keep in mind guys that Weaver has had success in low pressure situations. He was a pretty decent pitcher in Detroit, sucked in NY, was a pretty darn good one for the Dodgers, then sucked again for the Angels. I actually think he could thrive in St Louis. And if he feels like he absolutely HAS to go back to the AL, Seattle is probably the best spot he could choose. But I still say he's a fool for signing with Seattle. Long term, he would make more $$ pitching for St Louis for 2 years, then really cashing in via free agency.

If Weaver does not sign, I would look for Jocketty to strike a deal with either the Yankees or Phils for Pavano or Leiber. The Cards probably wouldn't have to give up much more than a bag of magic beans for either one, which makes the risk very low.

[plh903]

It would basically go something like this.

Cashman "we have been having some trouble with the RH batter's box. For some reason there is a hole that the grounds crew is having some trouble with."

Jocketty "you need some dirt?"

Cashman "you need a broken down lunatic pitcher?"

Jocketty "yeah, we have a pretty good pitching coach."

Cashman "well, have legal write something up, we'll tell Carl he is out of here. We'll pick up some of the contract too."

Jocketty "alright. Sounds good, I'll talk to you later. Hey, we still on for raquetball next weekend?"

Cashman "yep, til then."

[Aduncaroo]

I don't think so Phil. Cashman is on a "build up the farm" kick, and he isn't giving up Pavano without adding to the system. It is possible to get him without giving up a starting player, but you will have to give up at least a couple of pretty decent prospects. With pitching in this market, even Pavano is worth something.
Oh, and why would you want Pavano???? Leiber would be a much better fit.

Pavano = Worse version of Mulder

The last thing the Cards want is to rely on TWO injured pitchers to save the rotation

[plh903]

I don't want Pavano. It just wouldn't take anything to get him, that all depends on how much of his contract a team would be willing to pick up.

The last name that was tossed around in the Pavano to the Cards rumors was Stu Pomeranz. He isn't much more than a C prospect. He didn't make Kevin Goldstein's top ten list that he does for every farm system. As you can imagine, the names were practically irrelevant, it was the money that was s sticking point.

The Cards aren't relying on Mulder for this year, and they won't be relying on Pavano if he somehow came to town.

I want to see how the kids do. Jocketty has plenty of time to pull a rabbit out of his ass like he always does between Spring Training and the trade deadline. He has about as much flexibility financially that you could ask for.

[rawr]

I wouldn't give up anything more than a career minor leaguer for the likes of Carl Pavano.

[Aduncaroo]

It seems to me like they are relying on Mulder unless, like you said, Jocketty pulls something off. Who is the 5th starter right now for the Cards without Mulder? As a Cub fan, I am loving the "see how the kids do" approach. Believe me, I'm not saying the "lets give Marquis 20 mil" approach is better, but if the Cards had added a solid #2 (via FA or Trade)and a decent 4 or 5 guy like Ohka maybe, I would be worried about anyone being able to compete. As it stands, I'm actually very comfortable for a change.

[kevmill21]

from someone who watches 150 cards games a year and knows how their organization works on the inside i hardly care what you all have to say im just laying the facts out there for you, but then again i am talking to a bunch of retards who religiously follow this random rumor site
dave duncan is a long time friend of larussa and will never leave just like isringhausen, mcgwire and all those damn a's

if we had any other pitching coach, even someone who just knew how to manage a game, knew when a pitcher was done for the day, knew when to go settle someone down or anything our pitching would be far better off

[kevmill21]

whoops wrong post

[kevybo1]

Now this leaves the question. Who will sign Mark Redman and Dustin Hermanson.

[Kramerica Industries]

http://test.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_5099281

red sox and rockies in discussions about Helton

[fastfuture]

I bet the Ms thought they were signing his little brother.

Also, who wouldn't want to jump on Redman? He was an allstar last year! (dear god)

[Yars]

Weaver would have been a fool if he had declined the Mariners offer. They overpaid for him. I won't be surprised if SP's Horacio Ramirez & John Thomson have better seasons than Weaver. As for the NL Central, the Cards are not a threat this season. The Cubs are putting together a good team. Let's hope some of their players play up to their potential, (Ted Lilly, Mark DeRosa). Soriano will have an MVP type season. The Brewers have a legit starting rotation, & don't count out the Reds or Astros. Pirates won't do much this season. I do hope that Adam LaRoche has a repeat of '06. I wish Atlanta would have kept him .

[wihargo]

Redman has some talent for changing speeds and keeping hitters off balance... a couple of times a year at least.

A crude argument could be made that Redman would actually be just below average for an NL pitcher:

According to the column Keeping Score in the January 14th New York Times, the 29 starting pitchers who went from the AL to the NL during the period 2000-2005 saw their ERA+ improve by 13 (last AL season to first NL season). Redman's 2006 ERA+ was 85, so 85 + 13 = 98 ;p

[plh903]

"As for the NL Central, the Cards are not a threat this season."

Really? That's awfully dismissive. According to Diamond Mind, using the CHONES or Marcels, I forget which, the Cards project to be the best team in the National League.

Like they have been projected to be since 2001.

That's doesn't mean they will be at all. But, I guess you are much smarter than people at THT, BBTF, and BP that say, using advanced metrics and computer analysis that it will at least be competitive if not choosing the Cards as the favorites. As usual.

But, hey! Thanks Yars for making all of that moot! I mean, why bother? Just as Yars.

[Aduncaroo]

They are a threat, as much as anyone else. I am just saying that if Walt has all this financial flexibility, he could have really solidified the rotation. As it stands, they should at least compete.

[cubbies07]

The cardinals will of course be a threat in the nl as they always are but lets be realistic, this cardinal team coming into the 07 season is the weakest in years!!! all this talk about wells, come on the guy sucks period. just because hes a cardinal now means jack. he SUCKS. the cards will rely heavily on carp and hope wells and reyes can be effective but honestly reyes isnt all that great himself. the cards are going down this year almost certainly!

[stormstarter28]

"The cardinals will of course be a threat in the nl as they always are"
"the cards are going down this year almost certainly!"
were both of these sentences seriously in the same post?
Enjoy bashing the Cardinals while you can, Cub fans...it really makes sense to do that 2 months before the season starts. I'm not going to sit here and argue back and forth over who's going to win the division, but I just want to say it puts a big smile on my face to hear Chicago Cub fans count out the Cardinals before the season even starts. It's just dripping with irony.

[Aduncaroo]

Who counted them out???

Posted by: cubbies07 | January 27, 2007 at 01:06 PM

"The cardinals will of course be a threat in the nl as they always are"

They are a threat, as much as anyone else.
Posted by ME

Read more carefully, and don't sit there and make me out to be a dumb cub fan who doesn't really know baseball. I said they are in it as much as anyone else, I just felt like Walt blew a chance to make them the clear favorites. READ

[plh903]

Walt took a big shot at Pettitte and Schmidt, neither were going to come here. Zito was going to get stoopid money, and there really weren't any pitchers on the market otherwise that are really a lock to be better, than say, Brad Thompson.

Financial flexibility extends beyond one offseason. There is an opportunity cost associated with every move, on both money and more importantly YEARS. That's why I am pretty miffed by this whole Weaver thing.

But, at the end of the day, it's Jeff Fucking Weaver. He is always a running fastball to a left-hander away from a crooked number, and his FIP suggests that he was no better in St. Louis than he was in Anaheim last year. Basically, the dude might fucking suck and he is not going to make or break anyone.

Good luck Jeff, you disingenuous fuckface.

[Aduncaroo]

AHH, that's the funniest thing I have heard in awhile. It is kind of crazy that he would pick the M's over the team that he won a ring with...but whatever, no one ever accused him of being smart.

I think Walt, having payroll out the ass from winning the WS AND a new ballpark in the SAME YEAR, should have sacked up and given Schmidt whatevet it took. If there is one team that is not using anywhere NEAR the revenue increase that they saw last year, its the Cards. Not saying its Walts fault, it could be ownership.....take the Grudzilanek (or however you spell it) thing last year. Ownership wouldnt go a mil more for him and they ended up with Miles and had to trade for Belliard. It worked out, so whatever, but I would be pissed if I were a Birds fan that ownership is taking the extra revenue and running with it like a bunch of selfish bitches. At least thats what it seems like to me so far.

[stormstarter28]

Yars counted them out. Cubbiesfan said they would contend, but then turned around and said they would certainly go down. Did I ever mention you in my post, Adunc? Chill out. If you read MY post more carefully, this conversation wouldn't be happening.

[pinetarhand]

"I would be pissed if I were a Birds fan that ownership is taking the extra revenue and running with it like a bunch of selfish bitches."

The Post has done it for years. The only reason they spent big this offseason is because they're selling & don't have to fork over the money for those contracts. Those big contracts are all backloaded in a big way. Yet you & I are both still Cubs fans & Wrigley still sells out every game.

Schmidt took a discount in $ & years to play on the West Coast. He said from the beginning that he didn't want to play for anyone but West Coast teams & could have made a lot more if he had at least baited NY, Chi, or St Louis, but I don't think he even entertained their offers. Like plh said, there really wasn't a whole lot available to St. Louis without a long term crappy contract, & Walt's smarter than that.

[stormstarter28]

Thank you pinetarhand, it's encouraging to see someone on here that's not so biased. Adunc, you usually have a level head about the Cardinals, but it seems to have fallen off recently. If declining a $120 million deal with Schmidt was selfish, then I am very glad my Cards org. is selfish. That would have raped the franchise for a long time. As it stands, we still have the money to spend. If we're nearing the trade deadline and are struggling, and we STILL don't spend some cash, then I might be upset. Until then, I'm happy as a clam enjoying our WS championship.

[Aduncaroo]

Guys, dont take my posts as anything to do with me being a cubs fan. I say it because the cubs ownership did it forever, and things might be a little different if they had sacked up and got Beltran instead of a lesser version this year with Sori. I still love him, but he isn't Beltran and he is older. I am just saying that you have to admit, with all the revenue they gained last year, you would have thought they would have done something more positive with it.

I will say, if it was going to take 120 million to sign schmidt, which is probably pushing it, than I agree with you. But if I were walt I would have at least given him 17 mil for 3 years to make the staff easily the best in the division and one of the better ones in the league...(NL). Anyway, I understand what you are saying and I'm not dicounting it. There wasn't much else out there. I was thinking besides Schmidt, I would have thought they would have pursued a trade, maybe at least for Garcia. The cards could have gotten him for very little, and Freddy would have done a lot for your rotation.

Anyway, to sum it up, I proabaly sounded a little more harsh than I meant to. I am saying this. If I am a birds fan, I am going to be pissed if we start the season with this rotation and don't do well. Walt could have at least gotten Ohka for the 5th spot, or even Weaver if he was only going to want 1 year!! Either way, I love Walt, I wish we had him in Chicago. Not bashing him at all. I think he is better than ownership to be honest. I just think that they should say to him, "Add another 20 mil to our payroll, everyone deserves it." Do you know what Walt could do without being handcuffed by ownership? There wasn't a lot out there, I understand. There is still a lot of time for them to prove me wrong, its not even spring training yet, let alone the deadline. Just saying, for a WS team and a new park, with the revenue that they have from that, they should have gotten Schmidt or Zito and had money to throw around.