Reds Sign Luke Weaver

[Ron Madden]

Reds Sign Luke Weaver

The Reds announced they’ve signed right-hander Luke Weaver to a one-year major league contract. Infielder Matt Reynolds was designated for assignment in a corresponding 40-man roster move. Weaver will receive a $2MM base salary, tweets Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

Weaver joins the fifth organization of his professional career. A first-round selection of the Cardinals in 2014, he broke into the majors with St. Louis two years later. After struggling through nine outings as a rookie, the former top prospect put up a 3.88 ERA through 60 1/3 innings in 2017. Weaver looked as if he might carve out a long-term rotation role for the Redbirds, but he stumbled to a 4.95 ERA across a career-high 136 1/3 frames.

Over three-plus seasons in the desert, Weaver pitched to a 4.72 ERA in just fewer than 200 innings. At last summer’s trade deadline, the Snakes flipped him to the Royals for infielder Emmanuel Rivera.

Kansas City’s buy-low attempt didn’t go as hoped. Working exclusively in relief for the Royals, Weaver allowed 15 runs in 19 2/3 innings through 14 appearances. The Royals took him off the roster after the season.

He briefly landed with the Mariners via waivers but Seattle non-tendered him within a couple weeks. That sent him to free agency for the first time, where he’ll try to right the ship in Cincinnati.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/...ke-weaver.html

[757690]

Weaver is a strong bounce back candidate. His peripherals were decent last year, despite an ugly ERA. He projects to be a low 4 ERA starter next year. The downside is he’s more of a fly ball pitcher, not great for GABP.

[TNRED]

Just the big off season move we have been waiting for!

[Ron Madden]

Veteran righty Weaver joins Reds on 1-year deal

The Reds added experience to their pitching staff on Friday by signing right-hander Luke Weaver to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Utility player Matt Reynolds was designated for assignment to make room for Weaver on Cincinnati's 40-man roster.

Weaver, 29, is a veteran of seven Major League seasons with the Cardinals, D-backs and Royals. Over 115 games (81 starts), he has a 24-36 record with a 4.79 ERA.

If Weaver joins the Reds' rotation, he would offer a veteran presence to a young group that's led by Nick Lodolo, Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft.

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/luke-w...igns-with-reds

[Larry Schuler]

Woah. I forgot the Reds were allowed to sign players.

[Tom Servo]

Don’t hate it, thought he was on the rise in Arizona for a minute before injuries and whatever.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Well, it rhymes with Seaver…

[westofyou]

2019 Weaver please

[cumberlandreds]

May the force be with us.

[Alpha Zero]

I don’t hate the signing. There’s some upside here, but I wish they had picked someone who could more reliably soak up some innings. Weaver has had plenty of trouble staying healthy lately.

[Kc61]

Weaver is a strong bounce back candidate. His peripherals were decent last year, despite an ugly ERA. He projects to be a low 4 ERA starter next year. The downside is he’s more of a fly ball pitcher, not great for GABP.

I wouldn’t put too much stock in last year’s numbers which were unusual reflecting a small sample, mostly relief.

His BABIP against was very high. His HR/FB rate was incredibly low. Neither is likely realistic over a season as a starter.

He’s spent quite a bit of time in the minors throughout his career. Not sure if these were demotions or rehab stints, probably both.

Still, his K/BB numbers have been good and for $2 million I agree, it’s a decent gamble.

[Ron Madden]

This depresses me.

Tacking on Weaver’s modest salary brings Cincinnati’s projected payroll up around $81MM, as calculated by Roster Resource. That’s well below last year’s $114MM approximate Opening Day figure. General manager Nick Krall has spoken on multiple occasions about the payroll constraints facing the front office. It’s possible Cincinnati rolls the dice on another low-cost upside play or two with Spring Training a month away, but they’re unlikely to make any particularly noteworthy free agent additions. The bullpen and center field stand out as areas where Cincinnati could continue searching for smaller upgrades.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/...ke-weaver.html

[Bourgeois Zee]

Weaver's a solid gamble. In a lost season, he's worth trying.

[OldFashionedRed]

How's the season going to go? I'd say Leave It to Beaver

[mth123]

Weaver's a solid gamble. In a lost season, he's worth trying.

Weaver isn't what I hoped for, but he's a better bet than Kuhnel Gibaut, Cruz. Dunn, Stoudt, Williamson etc for a role on the big legue staff. I'm actually cautiously optimistic that he's an upgrade. Not the big upgrade that's needed, but I'd rather innings go to him than any of those other guys.

If he keeps Williamson and Stoudt in AAA until they knock the door down as opposed to just forcing then into a role, this signing is worth 10 times whatever they are paying him.