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MLB Rumors: Padres have offered contract to Jered Weaver

By Brad Berreman

Sep 21, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Diego Padres are refurbishing their starting rotation and they have their eye on a former ace to lead the staff.

Going all-in with big moves a couple offseasons ago did not work out for the San Diego Padres, as evidenced most recently by a 68-94 record in 2016. An effort to restock the starting rotation on the cheap has been made this offseason, with matching one-year, $1,75 million deals for Clayton Richard, Jhoulys Chacin and Trevor Cahill, but the Padres have their eye on someone else as a proverbial staff ace.

As part of a longer piece about remaining MLB free agents, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported the Padres have made an offer of more than the aforementioned $1.75 million to Jered Weaver. Back in December, Heyman first reported possible interest from the Padres in the 34-year-old right-hander.

Weaver has spent his entire career to this point with the Los Angeles Angels, with a 150-93 record and a 3.55 ERA over 11 seasons (322 starts). But he posted a career-worst 5.06 ERA last season, as a continuing drop in average fastball velocity yielded a K/9 rate just above 5.0 (5.2) for the second straight season and a career-low in K/BB ratio (2.02).

At this stage of his career, Weaver’s greatest asset is durability. He has made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 176 innings in seven of the last nine seasons, though it’s worth noting he has topped 180 innings just once in the last four seasons. But compared to what the Padres’ starting rotation did last season (4.61 ERA-10th in the National League), and the signings made to this point in the offseason, Weaver stands out as a No. 1 starter for San Diego based on track record alone.

Next: MLB 2017: Top 10 catchers

The Sporting News’ Ballpark Power Index for this year has ranked Weaver’s old home park, Angels Stadium, as more pitcher-friendly that Petco Park in San Diego. But a move the National League, and pitching regularly in a couple other pitcher-friendly parks in the National League West, should be good for Weaver overall. At this point, the Padres appear willing to bet on Weaver reviving his career in 2017.

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