Yankees Get Brown for Weaver



The Yankees have responded to this morning's loss of Andy Pettitte by reaching an agreement in to send Jeff Weaver and 2 as-yet unnamed minor leagues to Los Angeles in exchange for Kevin Brown. Though some of the NY papers speculated this morning that a 3 way deal involving Frank Thomas was possible (ie. the Big Hurt to LA, Weaver to Chicago, Brown to NY), it appears as though this is just between the Yanks and Dodgers.

Jon Heyman of Newsday reports that New York will be making a $3 million contribution to LA towards Weaver's salary. Presumably, the savings on Brown's remaining years (some $30 million) will provide LA with the funding necessary to go after a bat or 2 (perhaps Thomas, Tejada or Vlad Guerrero). Either that or it makes the team just a little easier for Frank McCourt to purchase.

Hard to determine how much Brown has left in the tank at the age of 39 --- he's hardly the most durable guy in the game. And while he received pitiful run support last year from LA, he's also had the advantage of pitching at Dodger Stadium.

Most Yankee fans will be overjoyed at getting anything, let alone a pitcher with Brown's credentials for the enigmatic (ie., terrible) Weaver. But the latter could well resurrect his career in new surroundings...while the Yankees continue to get older and more expensive.

Posted: Thu - December 11, 2003 at 04:18 PM      

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