Jeff Weaver is close to finding a home with the Mariners. Seattle is closing in on a deal with the 30-year-old right-hander, a baseball official close to the negotiations told The Associated Press.
Weaver’s pending deal with the Mariners is believed to include significantly more guaranteed money than the Cardinals’ standing two-year offer, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The Cardinals reportedly guaranteed a base salary below $6 million per season but offered numerous incentives based innings pitched. Sources indicate the Pirates were a long shot to land Weaver. “He was never considering them”.
In other news the Pirates have had preliminary talks with the Cubs about right fielder Jacque Jones. Although manager Lou Piniella has Jacque Jones penciled in as his right fielder, the Chicago Sun-Times speculates that the Cubs may still want to deal Jones to open the door for Felix Pie, the Daily Southtown reports. Reportedly the Pirates, Mets and a unknown team are in strong pursuit of Jacque Jones. A Castillo – Jones deal has been talked about.
