Jered

Weaver

“I’m not really worried about it,” Weaver said. “It’s going to get done, it’s just a matter of time.” Weaver is believed to be seeking a package similar to the $10.5 million deal Mark Prior received after being drafted. The Angels are probably thinking about something closer to half that amount.

It’s believed some progress has been made, but Weaver is willing to reenter the draft if necessary. The good news is that he plans to be ready to pitch if a deal does get done. He has begun throwing off a mound and will start throwing live batting practice soon.

The new asking price is $8 million over four years. It’s believed the Angels are offering $6 million over five years. They’re close enough now that something figures to be worked out before the start of the season.

Weaver and Stephen Drew (Diamondbacks) are the only unsigned first-round picks from the 2004 draft. Weaver, who dropped to the 12th pick because of his bonus demands, is believed to be seeking a package similar to the $10.5 million deal Mark Prior received after being drafted. The Angels won’t go that far, but it’s possible there’s a compomise in the works.

The lone run scored on Craig Wilson’s homer. After three straight no-decisions, Weaver became the first pitcher since Livan Hernandez in 1997 to win his first eight career decisions. The Angels improved to 4-2 against the Yankees this season and 53-50 since 1996. They are the only team in the Joe Torre era to have a winning record over New York.

Weaver was in line for his first loss until the Angels scored four runs in the eighth, a rally capped by Juan Rivera’s three-run homer off Rick Bauer. While Weaver did remain stuck at 7-0, he did record his ninth quality start in nine tries.

The Angels ended up winning 5-4 after Adam Kennedy singled in a run in the top of the eighth. Weaver had a shutout going until the sixth inning, which featured a Grady Sizemore homer, two doubles, a single and a walk. He seems to be getting a little worse with each outing, but it’s likely that he’ll retain value in mixed leagues for the rest of the season.

Weaver gave up three hits, walked one and struck out five while throwing 97 pitches. Next up for the 23-year-old is Tampa Bay and perhaps Cleveland before Bartolo Colon comes off the disabled list next month. If he keeps on pitching like this, the Angels could choose to make him a permanent member of the rotation, perhaps at his brother’s expense. Weaver won’t last in the free-agent pool in mixed leagues after his performance tonight, so grab him if you want him. Just realize that he might not contribute for the long-term.

Scioscia indicated that Weaver will either remain in the rotation or continue starting at Triple-A. “He will go to the Salt Lake rotation because he has to stay stretched out,” Scioscia said. “It’s a tough spot for the individuals vying for spots, but it’s good for us when you have five guys throwing well and the Cy Young winner coming back. We have some tough decisions to make, but Jered has shown what he can do here.”

Weaver has a 1.37 ERA since his promotion. It’d be completely the wrong message to send if they return him to the minors when Bartolo Colon is activated this weekend. Either the Angels will have to go to a six-man rotation for the short-term or Jeff Weaver will be sent to the pen.