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01-27-2007, 06:48 PM
Weaver and Mariners close in on 1-year deal for $8,325,000
Weaver and Mariners close in on 1-year deal for $8,325,000
By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer
January 26, 2007
AP - Jan 26, 1:58 pm EST
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SEATTLE (AP) -- Jeff Weaver and the Seattle Mariners have just about finalized a one-year contract worth $8,325,000 -- the same salary he had last year.
Only minor details remain for the deal to be worked out, a person familiar with the negotiations said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been completed.
The 30-year-old right-hander, who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win their first World Series title since 1982, probably will take a physical early next week.
In addition to his base salary, Weaver would be able to earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses: $300,000 each for 180 innings or 28 starts, and 190 innings or 30 starts, and $400,000 for 200 innings or 32 starts.
Weaver has made 240 starts over eight major league seasons -- 34 each in 2004 and 2005, and 31 last year.
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Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi has said Seattle wanted to add a free-agent pitcher.
"No, we're not done," he said Wednesday.
St. Louis had been hoping to re-sign Weaver, who won three games during the postseason. Pittsburgh was also thought to be interested.
Weaver was 3-10 with a 6.29 ERA when the Los Angeles Angels designated him for assignment on June 30, then traded him to the Cardinals five days later. He was 5-4 with a 5.18 ERA with the Cardinals, but starred during the postseason. He was 1-1 in the World Series against Detroit, getting the victory in the Game 5 clincher by allowing two runs -- one earned -- and five hits in eight innings.
He would join a Seattle rotation with three new starters. The Mariners, coming off three straight last-place finishes in the AL West, have a slimmed-down Felix Hernandez and Jarrod Washburn returning.
Horacio Ramirez was acquired in a trade with Atlanta for setup reliever Rafael Soriano. And Miguel Batista, an 11-game winner with Arizona last season, agreed to a $25 million, three-year contract last month.
Before the talks with Weaver, Seattle had been contemplating several candidates to be its fifth starter: Cha-Sueng Baek, a Triple-A callup whose season ended last September due to elbow tendinitis, converted reliever Jake Woods and Ryan Feierabend, a veteran of 24 days in the major leagues.
Three starters from 2006's opening-day roster are long gone. Jamie Moyer was traded to Philadelphia last summer. Joel Pineiro signed as a free agent with Boston and Gil Meche signed with Kansas City.
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
Weaver and Mariners close in on 1-year deal for $8,325,000
By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer
January 26, 2007
AP - Jan 26, 1:58 pm EST
More Photos
SEATTLE (AP) -- Jeff Weaver and the Seattle Mariners have just about finalized a one-year contract worth $8,325,000 -- the same salary he had last year.
Only minor details remain for the deal to be worked out, a person familiar with the negotiations said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been completed.
The 30-year-old right-hander, who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win their first World Series title since 1982, probably will take a physical early next week.
In addition to his base salary, Weaver would be able to earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses: $300,000 each for 180 innings or 28 starts, and 190 innings or 30 starts, and $400,000 for 200 innings or 32 starts.
Weaver has made 240 starts over eight major league seasons -- 34 each in 2004 and 2005, and 31 last year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi has said Seattle wanted to add a free-agent pitcher.
"No, we're not done," he said Wednesday.
St. Louis had been hoping to re-sign Weaver, who won three games during the postseason. Pittsburgh was also thought to be interested.
Weaver was 3-10 with a 6.29 ERA when the Los Angeles Angels designated him for assignment on June 30, then traded him to the Cardinals five days later. He was 5-4 with a 5.18 ERA with the Cardinals, but starred during the postseason. He was 1-1 in the World Series against Detroit, getting the victory in the Game 5 clincher by allowing two runs -- one earned -- and five hits in eight innings.
He would join a Seattle rotation with three new starters. The Mariners, coming off three straight last-place finishes in the AL West, have a slimmed-down Felix Hernandez and Jarrod Washburn returning.
Horacio Ramirez was acquired in a trade with Atlanta for setup reliever Rafael Soriano. And Miguel Batista, an 11-game winner with Arizona last season, agreed to a $25 million, three-year contract last month.
Before the talks with Weaver, Seattle had been contemplating several candidates to be its fifth starter: Cha-Sueng Baek, a Triple-A callup whose season ended last September due to elbow tendinitis, converted reliever Jake Woods and Ryan Feierabend, a veteran of 24 days in the major leagues.
Three starters from 2006's opening-day roster are long gone. Jamie Moyer was traded to Philadelphia last summer. Joel Pineiro signed as a free agent with Boston and Gil Meche signed with Kansas City.
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.