Durham Bulls’ stalwart Jon Weber signs with New York Yankees
Fortunately, it’s Thanksgiving and we have an abundance of things to be grateful for—because, sadly, everyone’s favorite Bull, Jon Weber, is no longer a Durham ballplayer. In fact, he will be playing against the Taureaux in 2010. Weber has signed a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees, who are sure to install him as the starting left fielder for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The contract includes a spring-training invitation with its nominal opportunity to make the big-league club.
And all along we thought it was another left fielder property of the Rays, Carl Crawford, that the Yankees coveted.
Weber is a classic gamer who led the International League in doubles in 2009, placed in the top ten in several prominent hitting stat categories, was a superb clutch hitter, and was perhaps the Bulls’ MVP. He is an 11-year veteran of the minors who has never played a day in the major leagues, and he’s unlikely to break through in the Bronx, where the corner outfield positions are sure to be spoken for by multimillionaires like Johnny Damon. On the other hand, Damon is currently unsigned, Melky Cabrera has probably reached his ceiling and it’s lower than predicted, and Nick Swisher is the subject of trade rumors lately. You don’t think…?
Never mind. Pass the turkey.
5 Comments
Boy that hurts. Knew that it had to be coming after the Rays passed him by in September. But I thought Jon was going to make a run at Japanese baseball (and maybe he did). He’s been tearing up winter ball with the Venados de Mazatlan (6 doubles, 3 homers, .437/.453/.648 in 16 games. That’s gonna be a tough outfield to break into, and a very tough 40-man roster. But clearly Tampa wasn’t going to give him a chance. So we’ve got to wish him well. At least this way we’ll see him back in the DBAP. Hope he got a good deal.
— Chris 26 November 2009
The Yankees sign all the best players, don’t they?
— David 26 November 2009
Way to go thats my cousin..!
— Jeff cardiel 13 December 2009
Stranger things have happened. LF is wide open in the Bronx. Weber is a professional hitter. If he comes to camp and plays like every day is his last, he can take control and make a strong play for the job.
Yanks are loaded. They are looking for a cheap, hard nosed, balls to the wall guy to take the position in ST. Best of luck to Mr. Weber. This is easily his best chance at the big time. And what a chance it is.
— Ken 14 January 2010
Weber was the best. My kids always looked for him at the park. The worst part about this is that I might have to root for the Yankees now.
— Peter Thornton 23 January 2010