Dream Weaver an Angel

Former Fresno State ace pitcher will stay in L.A.

Staff Reports
The Collegian

Former Fresno State Bulldogs pitcher Jeff Weaver is trading in his Dodgers jersey to join the Los Angeles Angels.

After about five weeks as a free agent, Weaver has been signed to a one-year contract with the team for a total of about $9 million, including incentives.

Weaver had hoped to continue his two-year relationship with the Dodgers and negotiate a multi-year extension of his contract, but when the deadline for renewal passed in January he chose to sever his ties with the team and decline a subsequent offer.

The Angels will be the fourth team Weaver has played for since graduating from Fresno State in 1998.

In 1999 he played for the Detroit Tigers and spent parts of four seasons with them. He then spent a season and a half with the Yankees where he made two appearances in the 2002 American League Division Series against the Angels and played in the World Series, where he gave up a homer against Marlins player Alex Gonzalez.

Up until now, Weaver had always been drafted, promoted or traded by teams, never operating as a free agent.

In signing the contract, Weaver cited the team ownership of Arte Moreno and the Angels’ head coach’s style of management as the most important factors that drove him to sign with the ball club.

Though he has been a No. 1 starter in the past, Weaver will be one of five with the Angels.

With the one-year deal, Weaver also retains the possibility of becoming a free agent again at the end of the season. Jeff''s brother Jered is also an pitching prospect in the organization.

Comment on this story in the Sports forum >>