The Rays have signed infielder/outfielder Rickie Weeks to a minor league contract, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). Weeks is represented by the Legacy Agency.
After an awful 2015 season with the Mariners, the now-34-year-old Weeks had a respectable season at the plate with the Diamondbacks in 2016, though his work flew largely under the radar. In 205 trips to the dish with Arizona, the longtime Brewers second baseman batted .239/.327/.450 with nine home runs. He was particularly effective against left-handed pitching, mashing southpaws at an exceptional .284/.368/.642 clip. Six of his nine home runs on the season came in the 76 plate appearances he received against southpaws.
For the Rays, it’s easy to envision Weeks making the roster in a number of scenarios. Tampa Bay has reportedly agreed to re-sign Logan Morrison to a one-year deal, and Weeks could conceivably platoon with him at first base if he’s able to demonstrate the ability to play there in Spring Training. It’s been two years since Weeks appeared at second base, and his glovework there declined rapidly late in his stint with Milwaukee, but he could also split time with lefty-swinging Brad Miller there. And, as Weeks has played corner outfield exclusively over the past two seasons with the Mariners and D-backs, he could certainly act as a right-handed-hitting complement to Colby Rasmus in the corner outfield as well.
Weeks no longer profiles as an above-average defender anywhere on the diamond, but his ability to perform against left-handed pitching should give him a chance to earn a bench role this spring.
Surprised teams are still giving him a shot. Yes – he hit OK against lefties. But so do a lot of right handed batters still looking for work who also play defense. A little pop off the bench though, I suppose.
Worth noting that the Rays are doing their annual dumpster diving
What a joke of a franchise
A joke of a franchise? Lol. We have one of the lowest payrolls every single year and except the last two years because we were kinda evolving into this year when we will compete we were over 90 wins for 4 years. Our team plays harder than most teams in the MLB. We hustle we do all the good things. This team is a joy to watch and because we can’t cheer on overpaid superstars every year like these billion dollar teams we have our star and we play as hard as we can and make it exciting. Joke. You’re the only joke here
Your Honor a few sister is payroll in order to complete which would generate income he prefers to put the money in his pocket like other owners in the league, I probably go to 25 rays games a year
OK so that paragraph proves not to voice text without proofreading, my bad
Yeah and I’m a season ticket holder what’s your point. Yeah our owner is a terrible owner. Could have my bigger payroll. He chooses to limit us then blame it on us for not going to the games. When it’s his own fault. Doesn’t mean I don’t love the effort and the passion our players play with. We always have the fear clubhouse guys who play the game the correct way and if you don’t they are not afraid to let you know. Even when bj uptown was in his prime and a big part of our team they sat him for not hustling. This team and the players play their butt off and for anyone to call these players a joke is pathetic all on its own
To be fair you guys don’t go to the games
Stu actually blames the horrid TV deal. He also says that a new stadium in a easier accessible area would help.
And that’s my fault? No I go. But am I the one complaining they are a joke of a franchise? No. you are. And I’m telling you they aren’t even close. The reds or athletics are. Teams who’s rosters won’t be good for years. The Rays make trade after trade and they actually spent some money this offseason. We do the most with what we have. Not sure how that’s a joke franchise. Signing a depth player who hits left handers when we have a lefty 2B makes us a joke? Every great team has useful but not amazing bench players. Coco crisp and rajai Davis perfect example. Not the best hitters but Davis hits lefties and has speed. Not a starter but above average for what they needed. Same move here. Okay defender but can hit lefties infielder which was a need so he’s a known depth piece. Not sure what’s so wrong with this. Morrison hot .275 after his horrid first month, not dumpster diving. Tolleson was great 2 years ago for 1 Mil. Great bounce back candidate, Ramos hurt but well above average catcher an basically super star for a Catcher on this team for 12 mil for 2 years, not dumpster diving. So I’m not sure what you’re referring too. You look at one number and call our players crap. Do some research. Past dumpster divers as you call them have been Fernando Rodney who broke the Era record until last year on a 2 mil deal. Joel peralta who was here for 3 years who was above average and a work horse on a 2 mil deal the list goes on , Soriano, Benoit, keppinger, forsythe, boxberger. Guys who were supposed to be nothing. Don’t know who the hell youre calling a joke or understand even a little bit why
Agree with all of your posts in this thread but what’s with the A’s being a joke of a franchise? Donaldson deal was terrible, our ownership and ballpark situation sucks. But Wolf just sold his share and it looks like we are actually focusing on a stadium in Oakland. There are a lot of similarities between our teams. A’s also had a very good recent 3 year run from 2012-2014. Sure 2 bad seasons followed but I think this is the year our young core starts to shine a bit. We have a lot of good young pitching and a couple very near position players that can be perennial all stars. I don’t see how they are a joke, coming from a fan of a team that should understand…
Michael M/Birks:
Thank you, Gabby Johnson !
Yeah, why does Tampa even have a baseball team anyway? They obviously don’t care… attendance proves that
As a Jays fan, I actually groan when Tampa hits TO. They’re super scrappy players and it’s always fun to watch them play because they grind out every at bat and they’re hardly ever a guaranteed win. I would much rather see a team like the Rays than the Red Sox or the Yankees who practically but their way into the playoffs.
Buy*
Yeha I apologize I was just using examples as to why he said we are when there are other teams. I really meant the reds more who’s rebuild is going absolutely terrible with not much to look forward to in the near future. I enjoy watching the A’s as well
I agree, either in Tampa for the recently vacated stadium in Orlando
Or***
The Rays are 30th in value, 30th in revenue and are trying to get a new stadium where they will be expected to chip in $200+ million out of ownership’s pocket. How much do you expect their payroll to be? Any year it isn’t the lowest in baseball should be considered an overpay by ownership.
An overpay or maybe if they showed some reluctance spend money sometimes fans would react more. Our local radio guy did a poll on Twitter and over 75% says they don’t trust the Rays front office. Fans will go they are here. But when we aren’t winning they don’t. I can’t blame them but to get attendance you put a better Team on the field with showing you wanna win. I believe our attendance will be up this year. I’m glad you think it’s an overpay so he can make a huge profit off the ballclub and and when we are losing he blames it on the fans not going to the games. He’s a scumbag (our owner) that’s all
Lol @ Gabby
He plays all over the diamond and did much more than just OK against lefties…I’d say he battered them…nice flier signing here
He plays all over the field (well, 2B and COF isnt really “all” but okay) unbelievably poorly (seriously, consistent negative 20-30 range UZR/150, and that is as a corner OFer for a couple years now…)
And in 2015 he hit .234/.308/.383 against lefties – maybe, just maybe, those 76 PA last season were an fluke?
He almost certainly wont hit like he did last season against Lefties again, it’s a clear outlier. If it is in the right in-between 2016 and 2015 range though then you have a fairly average pinch hitter who you can only use against Lefties that you dont really want to allow onto the field anywhere with a glove. Yippie!
It’s a MiLB pact. No risk.
darkstar61 doesn’t want him on any kind of pact alright? Got it? Lol
No reward either – his upside is probably about the same as nearly any sub-25yo MiLB FA you can sign; and at least they might be able to play the field
So he will sit at TripleA taking ABs/development time away from someone who might have a future, and we will pray he’s even a Replacement Level small-side PHing DH if he somehow gets the call
Why are some people so upset about a minor league contract? Someone who’s a former all-star (granted it was 8 years ago) and is very serviceable against lefties is reason enough to take a chance. This would be a good signing by any team. Virtually no risk with slight upside. Textbook minor league deal. Good job
Well according to darkstar61 there is no way this could ever work out for the Rays…he will never do well again and the fact that he only plays 2B and COF means he sucks…he sucks at those positions and he sucks at baseball…and he is ugly and he really sucks alright?
You’re not a facts fan, are you?
He’s not a 2B anymore – he’s a (-)20-30 fielding Corner OF (iow, should be solely a DH)
And yeah, repeating a fluke is extremely unlikely – but we are only talking like 50-75 AB you would even possibly want from him, so there is almost no room for him to really help a club supposedly wanting to try and win.
Best upside is he hopefully doesn’t completely waste the roster spot by getting lucky hits a couple times – but that could be said of anyone, and his lack of fielding means he is about the worst option you would want to carry on the roster when looking for that luck
Had a second to look up stats;
in 2016 there were 170 OFers with at least 200 Innings Played. Weeks with his -25.1 UZR/150 was the 5th worst fielder of the bunch
Similarly, his -39.3 in 2015 would have ranked as the 3rd Worst if he had the innings played
…he is technically, statistically one of the single worst fielding Outfielders in the game
Add in the fact that he was (by far) the single worst fielding starting 2B from 2012-2014 and it all equals a guy who should never pick up a glove
Dude I’m glad that you took a ton of time to research Rickie Weeks…he got signed to a minor league deal for organizational depth…please, step back from the ledge and return to your computer