Reds notebook
Weathers forecast unclear; Reliever not sure he'll give close-to-home discount for 2009
By John Fay •
jfay@enquirer.com • September 18, 2008
David Weathers would like to return to the Reds next year, but he's yet to get an invitation.
"I'd love to come back," he said. "But I don't think they know entirely what direction they're going in. I don't if I'm part of the future or not. I have no clue."
Weathers, a 38-year-old right-hander, is in the final year of the two-year, $5 million he signed in December 2006.
He took less than he may have gotten on the open market because Cincinnati is conveniently close to his Tennessee home. It allows him to spend more time with his wife and children during the season.
He's not sure he'll do that this time around.
"In the past, that's been more of an issue than it will be this coming winter," he said. "I'm down to two more years of playing. In the past, I took a lesser deal here because of the family situation. But I think - this being my last two years - when I sit down and evaluate, I'll go to a place with the best possible chance to win - if that's here, great. In the past, that's been held over my head a little bit."
This is Weathers' fourth straight year for the Reds - bouncing back and forth between closing and setting up. He went 7-4 with a 3.94 ERA and 15 saves in 2005, was 4-4 with a 3.54 ERA and 12 saves in 2006 and went 2-6 with a 3.59 ERA and 33 saves last year. Entering Wednesday, he was 4-6 with a 3.27 ERA as a setup man this year. He's pitched in at least 67 games all four years.
"I've had four good years," he said. "We'll see. I don't know where they stand."
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...809180356/1071