Jeff Weaver - Ace?

[dawgfan]

Jeff Weaver sucked as bad as any pitcher has ever sucked to start the season with Seattle. Now, part of that was bad luck as his BABIP number was ridiculously high (well over .400), but part of it was just that he sucked. Many eyes were rolled when he was put on the DL for a "sore shoulder" - most figured that by "sore shoulder" the M's meant "he sucks teh big one".

But since he's returned from the DL stint, he's gained velocity on his fastball and done a much better job spotting his pitches and mixing in a generous serving of slop to keep batters guessing.

As a result, since his return from the DL he's pitched 77 innings, giving up 77 hits, 27 earned runs, 6 HR's, 17 walks and struck out 42, with 2 complete game shutouts (to lead the M's staff). His ERA over that span is 3.16.

Now, I'm not seriously suggesting he's Seattle's best pitcher (that'd be Felix), and he's certainly not the most steady and consistent (that'd be Miguel Batista) but he's gone from being an incredible liability to being a strength. Who knows if it will last (though it's now 12 starts since his return from the DL), but right now Weaver is pitching better than any other M's starter, and that's not necessarily damning him with faint praise.

[SackAttack]

Weaver has always had the talent to be a solid #2 or #3 guy. The problem is, he doesn't have - or at least hasn't had - the kind of killer instinct necessary to be much more than an innings eater, which makes him better suited to a #4 or #5 role.

Maybe he's finally "getting it." I hope so. I'd like to see him do well. I think what it's going to amount to is that he's teasing you.

'Course, there might be a third option - Jekyll and Hyde. Have the dude be good to great at home, and average to mediocre on the road.

[dawgfan]

There hasn't really been much of a home/road split for him this year. I'm inclined to believe that he really wasn't 100% physically to start the season and the time on the DL strengthened his shoulder. I suspect there's a mental component as well - he felt some pressure from his contract, wasn't pitching well, was unlucky to boot, and just lost all confidence.

[MizzouRah]

I only wish the worst for him. :)

[dawgfan]

I only wish the worst for him. :)
Sure, but know that M's fans return that schadenfreude with interest when it comes to the waste of human flesh that goes by "Scott Spiezio".

[MizzouRah]

Sure, but know that M's fans return that schadenfreude with interest when it comes to the waste of human flesh that goes by "Scott Spiezio".

At least he knew he had an addiction and turned himself in for help. That counts for something in my book.

[dawgfan]

At least he knew he had an addiction and turned himself in for help. That counts for something in my book.
Actually, our disgust with Spiezio has almost nothing to do with his addiction and everything to do with sucking in a major way as an M and then having the audacity to blame all of his struggles in Seattle on the organization and make very public statements to that regard trashing the team and the city.

[MizzouRah]

Actually, our disgust with Spiezio has almost nothing to do with his addiction and everything to do with sucking in a major way as an M and then having the audacity to blame all of his struggles in Seattle on the organization and make very public statements to that regard trashing the team and the city.

I was hoping this was what you were reffering to... touche!

[sterlingice]

And I thought all the hate towards Spiezio had to do with that lame ass tuft of hair on his chin

SI

[Chief Rum]

I call BS on the "Weaver is getting better" theory. He's doing what he usually does--he is a second half pitcher.

[Schmidty]

I always thought getting Bonderman for Weaver was a steal....but the way Bondo has been playing lately, I'm re-thinking that assumption.

[SackAttack]

I always thought getting Bonderman for Weaver was a steal....but the way Bondo has been playing lately, I'm re-thinking that assumption.

Bonderman's 24 years old. Weaver is, like, 30 or 31 and has maybe one season better than any of Bonderman's (except the 6-19 year where the Tigers were just awful period). You got the better end of the deal. How much more lopsided it will get, that remains to be seen.

[korme]

And I thought all the hate towards Spiezio had to do with that lame ass tuft of hair on his chin

SI

He dyed that when he went to St. Louis, correct? If I was a Cardinal fan I'd love that shit no matter how stupid it looks. It's like Dmitri Young dying his hair when he was a Redleg. Sweetness! Welcome to fandom.