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The Ten Worst Mariners Free Agent Signings Ever

By Ben Renner

Aug 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners general manger Jerry Dipoto laughs with one of his players during batting practice before a game against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated New York, 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners general manger Jerry Dipoto laughs with one of his players during batting practice before a game against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated New York, 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nate Karns gets the dubious honor of being compared with Jeff Weaver. Karns wasn’t quite as bad as Weaver was in 2007, but he gets the default comparison because of plus-five ERA. Karns will bounce back. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Jeff Weaver

2016 equivalent: Nate Karns

FanSided doesn’t allow pictures outside of our USA Today archive that doesn’t go back very far, so you’ll have to look up a few pictures of Jeff Weaver on your own. Doesn’t he look like Scar from The Lion King? Evil lion villain looks aside, Weaver signed a one-year deal with Seattle ahead of the 2007 season after winning a World Series with the Cardinals. His start to the 2007 was one of the worst in Mariners history, compiling an ERA over 10.00 in his first eight starts.

His low point came after tossing batting practice to the Kansas City Royals in an April start. Here’s his line from that game: 1/3 IP, 6 R, 6 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 0 K, 9 BF, 163.64 ERA. That’s six runs, all earned, against nine batters faced, and one out. “Dream” Weaver went to the disabled list with a case of being terrible after that start and actually returned to bring his ERA down to 6.20 by season’s end. He needed two shutouts along the way to get his ERA to 6. He finished 7-13 in 27 starts for the M’s in 2007.

Weaver was yet another whiff by Boogeyman Bavasi, who signed the starter to a one-year, $8.325 million deal. At least he wasn’t terribly expensive.

Weaver is of course the older brother of current Angel Jered Weaver, a Mariner-killer in his own right. Jeff works as a pitching coach for the Christian Oaks School baseball team.

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