The Rays have signed infielder/outfielder Rickie Weeks to a minor league contract, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). Weeks is represented by the Legacy Agency.
After an awful 2015 season with the Mariners, the now-34-year-old Weeks had a respectable season at the plate with the Diamondbacks in 2016, though his work flew largely under the radar. In 205 trips to the dish with Arizona, the longtime Brewers second baseman batted .239/.327/.450 with nine home runs. He was particularly effective against left-handed pitching, mashing southpaws at an exceptional .284/.368/.642 clip. Six of his nine home runs on the season came in the 76 plate appearances he received against southpaws.
For the Rays, it’s easy to envision Weeks making the roster in a number of scenarios. Tampa Bay has reportedly agreed to re-sign Logan Morrison to a one-year deal, and Weeks could conceivably platoon with him at first base if he’s able to demonstrate the ability to play there in Spring Training. It’s been two years since Weeks appeared at second base, and his glovework there declined rapidly late in his stint with Milwaukee, but he could also split time with lefty-swinging Brad Miller there. And, as Weeks has played corner outfield exclusively over the past two seasons with the Mariners and D-backs, he could certainly act as a right-handed-hitting complement to Colby Rasmus in the corner outfield as well.
Weeks no longer profiles as an above-average defender anywhere on the diamond, but his ability to perform against left-handed pitching should give him a chance to earn a bench role this spring.
Surprised teams are still giving him a shot. Yes – he hit OK against lefties. But so do a lot of right handed batters still looking for work who also play defense. A little pop off the bench though, I suppose.
Why are some people so upset about a minor league contract? Someone who’s a former all-star (granted it was 8 years ago) and is very serviceable against lefties is reason enough to take a chance. This would be a good signing by any team. Virtually no risk with slight upside. Textbook minor league deal. Good job
Well according to darkstar61 there is no way this could ever work out for the Rays…he will never do well again and the fact that he only plays 2B and COF means he sucks…he sucks at those positions and he sucks at baseball…and he is ugly and he really sucks alright?
You’re not a facts fan, are you?
He’s not a 2B anymore – he’s a (-)20-30 fielding Corner OF (iow, should be solely a DH)
And yeah, repeating a fluke is extremely unlikely – but we are only talking like 50-75 AB you would even possibly want from him, so there is almost no room for him to really help a club supposedly wanting to try and win.
Best upside is he hopefully doesn’t completely waste the roster spot by getting lucky hits a couple times – but that could be said of anyone, and his lack of fielding means he is about the worst option you would want to carry on the roster when looking for that luck
Had a second to look up stats;
in 2016 there were 170 OFers with at least 200 Innings Played. Weeks with his -25.1 UZR/150 was the 5th worst fielder of the bunch
Similarly, his -39.3 in 2015 would have ranked as the 3rd Worst if he had the innings played
…he is technically, statistically one of the single worst fielding Outfielders in the game
Add in the fact that he was (by far) the single worst fielding starting 2B from 2012-2014 and it all equals a guy who should never pick up a glove
Dude I’m glad that you took a ton of time to research Rickie Weeks…he got signed to a minor league deal for organizational depth…please, step back from the ledge and return to your computer