Going into the season, I didn't have high hopes for Mariners starting pitcher Jeff Weaver. After all, his career ERA was 4.72 and with a record of 86-107. He had a great post-season last year though, so Bill Bavasi ponied up $8.3 million for a one year deal. Even though it was obvious Bavasi had overpaid, more attention in Seattle was focused on Gil Meche's multi-year contract from the Royals which averages $11 million. The consensus was: we'll take Weaver for one year and the Royals can have Meche for five.
Well, no one could have imagined Weaver would be as bad as he has been this year.
He's pitched 22 innings, allowing 35 earned runs and 57 hits and walks. His ERA is 14.32. He is 0-6 and is averaging under four innings per start. He gave up 6 earned runs and pitched 5.2 innings in his best start of the year.
Opponents are hitting .581 against Jeff Weaver. Their OPS is 1.510, higher than Babe Ruth's career best.
Meanwhile, former Mariner Gil Meche is having a great season in Kansas City. He's 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA, holding opponents a to .656 OPS. Weaver has better control, though, giving up walks at half the rate as Meche. But all that proves is that a hit is better than a walk (but a walk is still much better than an out).
I hope Meche continues to do well. I've pretty much lost hope with Weaver -- the Mariners should release him when Felix Hernandez returns to the rotation, if not sooner.
© Jed Lewison