The Royals and Diamondbacks are nearing agreement on a deal that’ll send right-hander Luke Weaver to Kansas City for infielder Emmanuel Rivera, reports John Gambadoro of 98.7FM radio in Phoenix (Twitter link).
Weaver was once a high-profile acquisition of the Diamondbacks, coming over as part of the package they received for sending superstar Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals. After the first 12 starts he made for Arizona, it seemed like they had a rotation stalwart on their hands. Weaver put up a 2.94 ERA in 2019 with a 40.7% ground ball rate, 26.5% strikeout rate and 5.4% walk rate. Unfortunately, a forearm strain ended his season early and he hasn’t been quite the same since.
Weaver was healthy for the shortened 2020 campaign, making 12 starts and throwing 52 innings but putting up an ERA of 6.58 in that time. He was better in 2021, getting his ERA down to 4.25, but was limited to just 13 starts by a shoulder injury. Coming into this season, the D-Backs moved him to the bullpen, which has led to results both encouraging and discouraging. His 7.71 ERA is certainly unappealing, though there are reasons to believe that isn’t a true reflection of his work. His 24.1% strikeout rate and 6.2% walk rate are both better than league average, and he’s also allowing just 7.7% of his fly balls to leave the yard. What seems to be hurting his ERA is an unsustainable .434 batting average on balls in play and a 55.9% strand rate.
Still, this is a sample of just 16 1/3 innings after multiple seasons of disappointing results. The Royals won’t have a ton of time to get Weaver back on track, as he is set to reach free agency after the 2023 campaign. He’s making a salary of $2.875MM this year and is eligible for another pass through arbitration next year.
In exchange for Weaver, the Diamondbacks are getting Rivera, 26, a corner infielder who hasn’t hit much in the majors but has shown plenty of promise in the minors. Since making his MLB debut last year, he’s gotten into 92 games and hit .243/.294/.378 for a wRC+ of 87. However, in 63 Triple-A games last year, he hit .286/.348/.592 for a wRC+ of 144. In 20 games there this year, his line is .307/.388/.520, 142 wRC+.
Rivera is primarily a third baseman and would likely slot behind Josh Rojas on Arizona’s depth chart, though Rojas is capable of moving to other spots on the field if they really want to give Rivera a shot. Rivera’s also played some first base and could perhaps see some time there if the D-Backs pull the trigger on a Christian Walker trade, as they have reportedly considered. However he’s deployed, Rivera comes with an extended window of control, having come into this season with less than a year of MLB service time. He also can be optioned for the remainder of this year as well as another season, potentially delaying his free agency and arbitration.
For the Royals, they likely felt Rivera was squeezed out due to their crowded corner infield mix, with Nicky Lopez getting a lot of playing time at third, while Vinnie Pasquantino, Nick Pratto and Hunter Dozier are also around for first base or corner outfield duty. The designated hitter slot is also a little busy between that group and the catching duo of Salvador Perez and MJ Melendez. They’ve used that surplus of corner infield bats to add an intriguing arm, while the Diamondbacks have taken a pitcher they couldn’t get good results out of and turned him into a controllable infield depth option.
Ok!!!!!!
Weird.
Royals are right up there with the Rockies in terms of operating completely differently from conventional front offices. Doesn’t seem to be working out for either team, haha.
Yea, odd. I mean, I get why they would trade Rivera. He was about to be relegated to being a AAA back-up as Garcia is taking over SS moving Witt Jr. back to 3rd.
But Luke Weaver is a curious return. I was high on Weaver a few years ago – but not much to be high on about him these days. Maybe they were working off a 2015 scouting report. 🙂
Lol! What the hell are the Royals doing? Weaver is atrocious!
A replacement if Keller/Barlow are moved.
MM loves him some weaver!
Damn it! If nothing else we could have taken a flyer. Come on Mo! You’re getting lapped.
Sad day for Emmanuel Rivera. Not because he’s changing teams but because someone thought his value was equal to Luke Weaver.
In other news, my neighbor’s dog had puppies today.
You jest, but that is important news. Who doesn’t love puppies? Unless you’re allergic, I guess.
PTBNL + Puppies to be named later?
Congratulations, wonderful news! Have they named them yet?
Why can’t I ever get Royals news that doesn’t make me want to bash my head into something?
Why?
Royals are like the Rockies-do things a bit different than others.
Oh… neat.
If KC can get Weaver healthy than this is a great deal for them.
I had heard they signed Ra’s al Ghul earlier, so maybe he’ll let Weaver use his Lazarus pit.
Maybe Royals think they can make Weaver a starter again? If they wanted to trade Rivera, they couldn’t do any better?
The headlines are very strangely worded
Too bad it wasn’t Melancon. Wish some team would take him. Would rather have Weaver than him.
Good buy-low option for KC. Get Weaver out of the Western altitude and see if that gigantic stadium IN KC will revive him.
I’m really surprised the Royals make that trade with the criminal concerns surrounding Weaver.
Not that I know of anything, but he went to FSU so I figured it’s just a matter of time…
Strange trade
Wasn’t Weaver the guy accused of bullying the rookies when Matheny was with the cardinals?
Not losing any sleep over Rivera, seems like a decent buy low/rebound candidate provided there aren’t intangible issues.
That Goldy trade hasn’t worked out for the snakes.
The change in altitude may benefit Weaver, but so far he seems to be following Shelby Miller’s career track. Good luck in KC – you’re gonna need it.
Can’t win the 4D chess tournament without making any moves.
Wow. AZ gets a guy fresh off a 13 game hit steak, .316 in July, constantly making really tough plays at 3b. Gives up a pitcher who hasn’t been good in 3 years.
Nice job KC.