The Mariners have released Rickie Weeks, according to the MLB.com transactions page. Weeks was designated for assignment by Seattle last week.
Weeks, 32, signed a one-year, $2MM contract with the Mariners in the offseason as the club was looking to use him as Robinson Cano’s backup as well as in a utility role around the diamond. As it turned out, Weeks never played anywhere besides left field and DH over his 37 games with the team, and he contributed very little at the plate, hitting .167/.263/.250 with two homers in 95 plate appearances.
Once one of the game’s better-hitting second basemen in his prime with the Brewers, Weeks has hit only .228/.323/.389 over the last four seasons. He did deliver an .809 OPS over 286 PA in a part-time role with Milwaukee in 2014, though that production was certainly aided by a .355 BABIP. Always a dangerous hitter against left-handed pitching over his career, Weeks hit only .234/.308/.383 in 52 PA against southpaws this season, and contributed just a .290 OPS in 43 PA against righties.
The Mariners are responsible for the approximately $1.1MM remaining on Weeks’ deal, minus the pro-rated MLB minimum salary he might earn over the rest of the season if he signs with another team. Weeks’ track record will probably earn him some looks from other clubs, not to mention the belief that his bat could pick up away from Safeco Field. While neither sample size is large enough to be definitively, Weeks managed only a .278 OPS in 41 home plate appearances this season, as opposed to a .690 OPS in 54 PA.
Sadly this hookup was almost a sure bet to end badly. I always enjoyed him in Milwaukee. So much potential dragged down by crummy injuries.
I feel for the guy. I’ll admit I wasn’t always his biggest fan here in Milwaukee, but I realize a lot of his struggles were injury related. He had a very nice season platooning at 2B last season, and I’m sure someone will take a shot on him. Honestly, I think the Yankees should take a look. Weeks/Drew platooning at second could work out nicely. (Sidenote: how in the world does Drew have 11 homers this season? Oh, that’s right. Yankee Stadium.)
One piece of advice for the next team to give him a shot: keep him far, far away from the outfield.
No kidding….I’ve never seen anyone play it that bad.
Weeks sadly never understood what made him what he was. It was his speed and wrists that could turn on any fastball.
Both attributes have disappeared in recent seasons. He bulked himself up which along with the injuries took away all of his speed and the added bulk made it harder for him to use his wrists in his swing.
He’s done.
He had a good career at peak…but he was almost doomed to be a disappointment after being one of the most elite college hitters of all-time. He was Robin Ventura-good as a college hitter.