Jeff Weaver Rumors

Odds and Ends: Viciedo, Broussard, Rincon, Threets

Time to round 'em up. The A's are leading the charge for international free agent pitcher Michael Inoa; they could offer him $4MM. All teams have scouted him. MLB.com's Jim Molony names the Astros, Yankees, Cardinals, Angels, Mets, and Pirates as teams considering Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo (assuming he becomes a free agent). The Orioles would like to sign Ben Broussard, if he'll accept a minor league assignment. Broussard if mulling his options and should sign within 24 hours. He could step in if the Orioles trade Kevin Millar. Jeff Weaver has been released by the Brewers. Weaver's lost it;...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Weaver, Mulder, Pena, Giambi

Here are a few random notes from the MLBiverse... Paul Hagen is reporting that the Mets are interested in acquiring a first baseman and/or a corner outfielder. Hagen says that Omar Minaya is rumored to be interested in Kevin Millar, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. Hagen must share a source with Dan Graziano, who mentions the same trio. Might Aaron Heilman be used as bait? According to the minor league deal that Jeff Weaver signed with the Brewers, if he was not called up by this Sunday he could ask for his release. The Brewers and Weaver's agent, Scott Boras,...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Bruce, Ensberg, Boone, Weaver

Plenty of links for today. Indians top prospect Adam Miller is pretty much done for the season. '09 free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera and manager Ozzie Guillen are not getting along. Peter Bendix explains the savings the Reds get by waiting to promote Jay Bruce. Morgan Ensberg is a DFA candidate, while LaTroy Hawkins may be getting there. Bret Boone's comeback attempt has ended. Jeff Weaver (6.69 ERA in Triple A) can ask for his release if not called up by June 15th. Hank Blalock may not be in the Rangers' long-term plans. The Indians designated Jorge Julio for assignment.   Continue Reading

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Weaver Staying? Turnbow Not Going Anywhere.

Tom Haudricout of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Jeff Weaver has a 6.52 ERA in 29 innings in Triple-A Nashville and can ask for his release next Sunday if he doesn't see an opportunity with the Brewers as realistic. Weaver had no spring training, so he's still in rough form. Whether or not that form improves has yet to be determined. The Brewers currently have two struggling starters in Dave Bush and Seth McClung who just replaced Carlos Villanueva in the rotation. In that same piece, we find that Derrick Turnbow has "suffered a near-total command meltdown" in Nashville. In...   Continue Reading

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Brewers Sign Jeff Weaver

Sounds like Scott Boras finally found a job for Jeff Weaver. According to Tom Haudricourt, Weaver signed an incentive-laden minor league deal with the Brewers. I never would've guessed it - the Brewers will already have an extra starter on their hands when Yovani Gallardo returns. Haudricourt has further details on Weaver's contract here. It's a risk-free move by Doug Melvin, especially with Weaver willing to start at Triple A (as he should given the late start). Weaver, 31, posted an ugly 6.20 ERA last year in 27 starts for the Mariners. Perhaps between Mike Maddux's tutelage and a return...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Bonds, Howard, Vargas

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings up; let's take a look. Stark surveyed execs from three teams about why Barry Bonds remains unemployed. They provided the answers you'd expect, and collusion isn't one of them. One of the team officials believes a major injury to one of the 14 DHs could very well result in a Bonds signing. Related note: Gary Sheffield just tore a tendon in his finger. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman speculates that Bonds would be a nice match with the Blue Jays. There are signs that Ryan Howard wants an unprecedented contract - he won't...   Continue Reading

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Angels In Need Of Another Arm?

At the end of his most recent column Ken Rosenthal posits a nightmare scenario for the Angles, going back to 2001 when the Mariners cracked out to a 20-4 start to seize the AL West crown before May Day. With John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar on the shelf for at least 4-6 weeks, should the Angels be concerned going into 2008? Is a move to pick up an extra starter in order? The team is looking at filling 14-16 starts. With a surplus of outfielders the Angels are certainly in position to make a move. They could opt for a...   Continue Reading

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Nats To Pass On Weaver

Scott Boras found a deal for Kyle Lohse; will he now focus on getting Jeff Weaver a job? On Monday, Jeff's brother Jered said the Nationals and Cardinals had expressed interest. The Cards are surely out of the mix now, and MLB.com's Bill Ladson says Weaver has seemingly "priced himself out of the Nats' pay range." I'll guess the Nats were thinking $2MM or so. So if the Nats and Cards are both out, what's the elder Weaver to do? Baltimore seems to be his best option. Toronto could work. Perhaps the Astros as a long shot. In a note...   Continue Reading

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Nationals, Cardinals Interested In Jeff Weaver?

Whither Jeff Weaver? We haven't heard much about potential destinations for the 31 year-old righty. Probably has to do with his 6.20 ERA last year, but at least he's healthy. Jeff's younger brother Jered piped up yesterday, saying that the Nationals and Cardinals have expressed interest. Hard to say if that interest is current or just occurred at some point this winter. But either team would do well to bring him in on a minor league deal. If he's holding out for a Major League contract it may be time to adjust expectations. When teams have their rotations all lined...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Gross, Weaver, Encarnacion

Ken Rosenthal is on the scene with some new rumors. Astros president Tal Smith arguing other teams' arbitration cases. Rosenthal finds it a bit awkward, while Keith Law finds it to be a hilarious conflict of interest. Possible trades of Matt Murton to the Padres or Rangers seem to have fizzled. The Padres may turn to the Brewers' Gabe Gross, a player who previously caught the eye of the A's, Indians, and Braves. Our good friend PECOTA sees a .267/.366/.467 line from Gross this year. With Gross and various veteran starters, the Brewers have some surpluses to work with. Rosenthal...   Continue Reading

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Cards Eyeing Weaver, Colon

With the price of free agent starting pitching dropping by the day and Matt Clement looking questionable, it's only natural that the Cardinals would explore the market. Indeed, John Mozeliak is looking at Jeff Weaver and Bartolo Colon. Seems that Impacto Deportivo may have been misinformed on the whole Colon-to-Chicago thing. Weaver seems the smarter option for a team looking for healthy innings. If nothing else, Weaver can provide that. Something tells me he's not getting $8MM this time around. His most recent success was in St. Louis, so maybe Dave Duncan can guide him to a league average season....   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Adam Jones, Weaver, Jocketty

You know how it works...random rumors and links to clear out my inbox. Adam Jones left winter ball early, perhaps as a prelude to a trade. The Cardinals' interest in Jeff Weaver is "at best, tepid" according to Derrick Goold. However, Goold thinks they should bring him back. Walt Jocketty said on XM Radio: "I don't want to be a GM again." I guess that settles that, Wayne Krivsky can rest easy. This is kind of funny. Mark Teahen on meeting Jose Guillen: "For the most part he didn’t rub me the wrong way - he seemed like a good..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Tavarez, Lieber, Stewart

Another collection... A few notes from Brian Cashman...the Yanks have talked to Luis Vizcaino's agent about bringing him back. Also, they've yet to inquire on any free agent center fielders. Miguel Cabrera has been talking to Ozzie Guillen daily since the season ended. The article makes Cabrera sound like a big kid. The Red Sox have had a couple of inquiries on Julian Tavarez. Five or six teams have inquired on Shannon Stewart, who wants a two-year pact apparently. The Phillies, contrary to previous reports, are not interested in re-signing Jon Lieber. On a scale of 1 to 10, the..   Continue Reading

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Article On Boras

Came across an article on Scott Boras, via Will Caroll. One quote from Boras struck me: The Cardinals not signing Jeff Weaver is how you don’t win divisions, and my prediction is the St. Louis Cardinals won’t win their division this year. I can see the Cards missing the playoffs, sure, but not signing Jeff Weaver for $8 million won't be the reason. Now if you want to argue that if the Cardinals had signed Weaver, they'd be in last place instead of fourth and in line for a better draft pick in '08, I can buy that. Boras should've..   Continue Reading

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Cards Won't Reacquire Weaver

While previous reports indicated the Cardinals had interest in Mariners starter Jeff Weaver, Cards GM Walt Jocketty firmly debunked the rumor when asked by Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. Jocketty seems mildly bitter about Weaver's decision, and won't give him a second chance. Weaver currently sports a 14.32 ERA in six starts for the Mariners, and he's on the DL for shoulder tendinitis. That's historically bad. Worst ever performance (six start minimum) belongs to Jaret Wright in 2002 (15.71 ERA). Hayden Penn comes next with a 15.10 ERA in six starts last year, and then Weaver's '07. Worst performance..   Continue Reading

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Cards Interested In Weaver?

According to Viva El Birdos, Walt Jocketty called Bill Bavasi yesterday, willing to take Jeff Weaver off the Ms' hands for salary relief. Yahoo's Tim Brown believes the Cards would only have to pick up about $2MM of Weaver's $8MM salary in a deal. However, Weaver later landed on the DL with shoulder tendinitis. Weaver had made six starts for the Mariners, losing all of them and allowing at least seven hits in each. Previous speculation had involved the Mariners releasing Weaver. The Cardinals offered Weaver $6MM over two years plus incentives, and the Pirates were also interested last winter...   Continue Reading

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Mariners To Release Jeff Weaver?

According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus: "Speculation is mounting that Seattle is ready to swallow hard and release right-hander Jeff Weaver after his going 0-5 with a 15.35 ERA after five starts." The handiwork of Scott Boras, an inflated pitching market, and playoff heroics earned Weaver the same one-year, $8.325MM deal he got from the Angels the previous offseason. At when the Angels signed him, he was coming off a solid 14 win season. The Ms signed him after he posted a 5.76 ERA in 31 starts. I'd be surprised to see the Ms release Weaver. Couldn't they pay..   Continue Reading

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Tim Brown's Latest

I hadn't really noticed the MLB Experts Blog from Tim Brown and Jeff Passan until recently. Yahoo's main baseball guys have some quality rumors, and I've been missing out. Let's catch up by digging through some recent posts: Seems like mostly educated speculation, but Brown named Shawn Green as a player the Angels might be able to acquire to fill the void with Howie Kendrick out. However, Lastings Milledge will miss most of May, so that Green may no longer be available. The Tigers, worried about their fourth and fifth starters, are already on the lookout for starting pitching help...   Continue Reading

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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...   Continue Reading

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Mariners In Lead For Jeff Weaver

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mariners are the frontrunners to sign free agent starter Jeff Weaver. An agreement could be reached tonight once the number of years is decided. This would be a Bill Bavasi signing I actually wouldn't mind. Pushing Baek/Woods out of the rotation is a good thing, and the commitment to Weaver shouldn't be huge. It's a revamped rotation for Seattle, though Weaver doesn't fit the groundball mold of a lot of their other offseason acquisitions (Ramirez, Batista, Reitsma)   Continue Reading

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Pirates Interested In Weaver

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Pirates are battling with the Cardinals for the services of Jeff Weaver. Weaver could reunite with his former manager and pitching coach in Pittsburgh and thankfully push Shawn Chacon out of the rotation. The Cards are still in the lead, however. The Mariners or Dodgers could be involved also. You have to wonder if Boras could convince Weaver to take another one year contract, maybe in the $7MM range. He could stick in the NL all year and parlay it into a nice three-year pact if he pitches decently. His best bet is probably St...   Continue Reading

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Jeff Weaver Info

Viva El Birdos has some inside info concerning free agent Jeff Weaver. Larry writes that Scott Boras plans to hold out for 4/40, but Weaver really wants to return to St. Louis and is getting antsy. The Mariners or Dodgers could still make a play for Weaver as well. The Dodgers would really be stacked in the rotation, but maybe it would be to complement a trade. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch mentions this morning that the Cards have a two-year offer out to Weaver and expect a decision on that this week. Joe Strauss adds the Mets to the list..   Continue Reading

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Cards Still In On Weaver

UPDATE: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says negotiations have "intensified" between Weaver and the Cards. Walt Jocketty indicated that Weaver is the only possible addition to the rotation at this point. His limit for Weaver is two years. With Carpenter, Wells, Reyes, Wainwright, Thompson, Mulder, and Franklin, I think the Cardinals can cobble together a respectable rotation in the NL Central this year. However, Walt Jocketty said today that he's still in conversations with Jeff Weaver's people. On one hand, the Boras group drives a hard bargain. On the other, St. Louis may be the best place for..   Continue Reading

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Mets Consider Remaining Free Agent Starters

According to the New York Times, the Mets are interested in Tomo Ohka or Tony Armas Jr. to fill in the middle of their rotation. Both pitchers played under Minaya when he was GM of the Expos. Ohka would likely require a two-year deal, while Armas might be had for one year and $5MM or so. Meanwhile, the New York Post adds that the Mets could give Jeff Weaver a second chance in New York. They'd be unlikely to exceed a two-year deal, and I have a hunch someone could offer three. Once again, Scott Boras and Weaver are signing..   Continue Reading

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Post-Dispatch Cardinals Update

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently spoke to Cards GM Walt Jocketty, and has an article full of updates. The Cardinals are still trying to bring back Mark Mulder and/or Jeff Weaver, but aren't interested in other free agent pitchers. Jeff Suppan would have to offer a discount, which is unlikely. The Cards have a two-year offer out to Mulder. Weaver might wait out both Zito and Suppan before signing. Outside options like Brian Lawrence and Tomo Ohka might be out of the picture. It also appears that Jocketty doesn't have any trades on the horizon despite their..   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Tidbits

Several good items from Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Scott Spiezio is resigned to a 2-year deal. Jocketty's focus seems to be on pitching at the moment: talking about Vincente Padilla, Adam Eaton, and Kip Wells, and trying to bring Jeff Weaver back. Also looking for a Mark Mulder-like rotation filler-a nice thought, but I would think that a pre-FA starter would be incredibly pricey in this market. Luis Gonzalez and Julio Lugo are unlikely. By Jeff Sackman   Continue Reading

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Jeff Weaver Traded To Cardinals

Breaking word is that Jeff Weaver has been dealt to the Cardinals for minor league outfielder Terry Evans plus cash considerations. Evans is a 24 year-old outfielder currently hitting .307/.369/.640 in 75 ABs for the Cards' Double A affiliate. He struggled in High Class A last year, but mastered the level in two months this season. He's been described as the "out of nowhere prospect who mashed his way out of A ball" by Viva El Birdos. Weaver is expected to join the team in Houston. News of this trade comes courtesy of Fox Sports Midwest. A week ago, I..   Continue Reading

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HalosHeaven: White Sox Interested In Figgins

Interesting post by our good friends at Halos Heaven. I can vouch that the author of this site has several solid, independent sources close to the organization. A lot of interest in utility superstar Chone Figgins, who is hitting just .253/.322/.347 this year. Figgins draws a walk about 9% of the time, which is fine for a leadoff hitter if he can hit .290. Halos Heaven notes that if Ozzie Guillen elects Orlando Cabrera (.305/.364/.436) to the All-Star game, the relationship between the two teams could improve enough to facilitate a trade. The Angels view Figgins as more expendable than..   Continue Reading

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Jeff Weaver's Value Plunges

My best Angels source indicates that scouts from as many as eight teams were in attendance Tuesday night to watch Jeff Weaver pitch. Weaver didn't rise to the occasion, taking his tenth loss after allowing six runs in just two innings to the Rockies. Weaver's been an absolute mess this year, thwarting Scott Boras's attempt to replicate his success with Kevin Millwood. Boras didn't find the right multiyear deal for Millwood before the 2005 season, so he settled for one year with the Indians. After Millwood had a career year, Boras got him a massive five-year contract. Weaver makes $8.3MM..   Continue Reading

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Weaver Signs With Angels

The Angels' deal for Jeff Weaver is finalized for one year and $8.5MM, $9MM with incentives. He'll be joining Angels pitchers and catchers in Phoenix on Thursday, according to the L.A. Times. The article also mentions that Weaver's agent, Scott Boras, said Weaver left better offers on the table. No doubt Boras and Weaver are trying to execute the strategy that worked so well for Kevin Millwood. The move pushes Hector Carrasco to the bullpen   Continue Reading

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Halos Heaven Holds Steady On Weaver

The author of the Halos Heaven blog still says "the ink is dry" on Jeff Weaver's contract with the Angels. The blog originally reported that the announcement would be made on February 6th, and now states that negotiations over the second year have held up the deal. I know from experience that assigning a date to a rumored signing really brings out the critics if it doesn't hold. Anyway, I just wanted to pass along the info   Continue Reading

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Angels Sign Weaver?

I'm not entirely familiar with the Halos Heaven blog quite yet, but the author is saying Jeff Weaver signing with the Angels is a done deal. In their words: "the ink is dry." Also, check out the latest Manny rumor in the same post. While not quite the polar opposite of supposed offer that heavily favored the Red Sox, this one would definitely be a win for Los Angeles. But if the Angels were willing to take on Manny's entire contract, an offer of Escobar, Shell, and Rivera plus one top Angels prospect seems equitable   Continue Reading

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Choices Narrowing For Weaver

Back on January 12th, we were able to reason our way towards determining six possible suitors for Jeff Weaver. Here was the list: "In order of likelihood, Orioles, Cardinals, Mets, Cubs, Astros, Angels." Since then, the Orioles traded for Kris Benson and the Cubs signed a much cheaper option in Wade Miller. The remaining four can be re-ranked as Angels, Cardinals, Mets, Astros. You can almost cross Houston off the list; there hasn't been talk of them pursuing Weaver as Jose Contreras remains high on their wish list. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels may offer Weaver a..   Continue Reading

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More Jeff Weaver

I was wondering whether the Cardinals could fit Jeff Weaver into their payroll if they moved some parts around, and called upon Viva El Birdos to determine the answer. Lboros thoroughly dissected the issue yesterday. The verdict: "So I guess my answer is: yes, there are knots the Cardinals could tie themselves into in order to fit Jeff Weaver into the payroll; but no, I don't think they would be inclined to go that route." Read the post and you'll probably be inclined to agree. In addition, I spoke to my Mets source today. He said the club is not..   Continue Reading

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Jeff Weaver: Last Man Standing

I ranked Jeff Weaver 18th overall on my Top 50 Free Agents for 2006, and he's easily the best remaining starting pitcher (Roger Clemens aside). After Weaver the dropoff is huge - it's Kevin Brown or Lima Time. Kind of remains me of this, a memory I've been trying to repress for ten years. For a while it seemed like Weaver was being strangely undervalued in the market. He's a very dependable starter and he's still 29. He's thrown 444 innings over the past two seasons with the Dodgers, compiling a 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 6.3 K/9 during that..   Continue Reading

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