Brewers Sign Jeff Weaver to minor-league deal

[don1481]

Per Tom Haudricourt at JSOnline.

 

I received a tip from a reliable source this morning that the Brewers have signed free-agent right-hander Jeff Weaver to an incentive-laden deal.

An interesting move, to say the least, by DM. Maybe he's got something else up his sleeve...?

 

The Brewers probably will send Weaver to extended spring training and then Class AAA Nashville. This might be an effort to increase their starting pitching depth after Chris Capuano injured his shoulder in spring training and Claudio Vargas was released.

Is signing all of Boras' clients DM's way of landing The Prince long-term?

[JJHardy7]

This is a good move. I don't want to knock on the pitchers in Nashville, but if we'd need a starter from the minors we really don't have a ton of quality depth there. Nice move by the Brewers.

[PeaveyFury]

I'm not opposed to signing most players to minor league deals (assuming that's what this is), but hopefully he tears up Nashville before they ever consider calling him up.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Ugh . . .and I mean UGH!

 

I bet it's for a little less than the $8 Million he got paid last year 'tho

[Never Outhustled]

I'm not opposed to signing most players to minor league deals (assuming that's what this is), but hopefully he tears up Nashville before they ever consider calling him up.

I totally agree. This guys got good stuff, but for reasons unknown he's usually an absolutly awful pitcher.

[Dragonbait]

Isnt this the same guy people were calling us to sign a few years ago?

 

Gord Ash confirmed this on TMJ this morning. Said it was a move to increase our pitching depth after Cappy got hurt.

[GenoSeligPrieb]

Honestly, the other day, a few friends were giving me some grief about WHEN Ben Sheets gets hurt. We went up and back, and when the subject came to who would they bring up, should he get injured, with Capuano and Vargas gone, my answer was....uhhh, Zach Jackson?

 

Believe me, Jeff Weaver is NOT even a good starting pitcher these days. But for a minor league deal, he's as good, if not a better alternative to Dave Bush, should the need arise. In fact, since Jeff needs a new contract, Scott Boras just might feed Jeff some magic chemicals, and he'll rejuvenate his career, just in time to leave for free agency. So he may even pitch well this year...

 

Good, low-risk signing.

[RU Rah Rah]

He's a warm MLB body, I'll give him that. As long as the guaranteed money is minimal, I don't see a problem.

[BrewCrewForever]

Seems low-risk and could add depth. Nothing wrong with that.

[giffted1]

Jeff Weaver stinks, but I have no problem signing him to a minor league deal.

[JohnBriggs12]

Ash mentioned it's a one of those deals where if he's not called up in 2 months, he can walk.

 

I see it as a low risk move and an indication that there is very starting pitching depth at Nashville.

[patrickgpe]

looks to me like another doug melvin nugget, just like doug davis, danny kolb, among many others.

[Brian the Automator]

This transaction gets my official "meh" of semi-approval.

[Tbadder]

Okay, I like it if it's the beginning of their Frank recognition that their starting pitching simply isn't good enough for a world series club. Is it an improvement, no. But sometime you just gotta take baby steps.

[endaround]

Not sure how adding a #8 pitcher says they think they need better pitching to get a world series. To me its even more proof Bush is injured.

[Hate those Rodents]

Didn't Cappy get hurt BEFORE we released Vargas? I would much rather have Vargas than Weaver (or Vargas than McClung). Rant complete...

[Oldcity]

Vargas at $3 mil

[BrewCrewForever]

Vargas at $3 mil

Great point Stevo.

 

[naivin]

Pretty good move. Provides some depth and protection, flexibility should a trade opportunity present itself, and come swith little or no risk. Fact is, we're probably two SP injuries away from him being in Milwaukee.

[Invader3K]

He's only 31, and had some success in the past. Seems like a safe move.

[recte44]

I'm ok with it, as long as Parra or Villanueva aren't sent down or removed from the rotation because of the presence of Weaver. I actually think Weaver may > McClung in a long relief role.

[BrewCrewBaseball]

I'm ok with it, as long as Parra or Villanueva aren't sent down or removed from the rotation because of the presence of Weaver. I actually think Weaver may > McClung in a long relief role.

I agree with you on that.

[Oldcity]

Weaver might be better than McClung as a long man, but in all likelihood, so would Zach Jackson or Chris Narveson.

[tigerbrew]

I've tried to get mildly excited about this signing but just couldn't. But it's a minor league deal so it's ok.

[Fatter than Joey]

This is not as amusing as the Gape Kapler signing. It seems like he will need a couple of months to get into shape. Was he in any team's camp this spring?

 

He is represented by Boras, so I have to think that he will see the mound on a MLB diamond somewhere in 2008.