As if the San Diego Padres did not have enough question marks in their starting rotation, another veteran arm is joining the quagmire on the mound.
Jered Weaver, who has spent his entire 11-year career with the Angels, agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal to join the Padres. The signing was made official on Sunday.
Weaver was drafted by the Angels in 2004 and made his MLB debut two years later. From that first start through 2014 Weaver was one of the better pitchers in baseball, a 3-time All-Star who was extremely durable, making at least 24 starts every season.
But in 2015 he suffered his first losing season and watched his ERA balloon more than a run to 4.64. He continued to struggle in 2016, giving up a league-leading 37 home runs.
One thing Weaver does have, though, is moxie. He’s known as one of the game’s fiercest competitors. The Padres are hoping his bulldog persona can set the tone for the pitching staff and rub off on the younger guys in camp. They’re also hoping he can show a little of his old form and eat a lot of innings.
Weaver joins the extended mix of players going after five starting spots. He already knows Jhoulys Chacin, who pitched with him in Anaheim last year. Fellow veterans Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard are also viewed as frontrunners for a starting role.
After that the list of guys in the competition for a starting spot includes Luis Perdomo (last year’s leader in wins), Christian Friedrich, Jarred Cosart, Paul Clemens, Tyrell Jenkins and Dinelson Limet … plus anyone else who might be added in the coming days.
To make room on the 40-man roster the Padres moved starting pitcher Colin Rea, who is recovering from elbow reconstruction surgery, to the 60-day disabled list.
