Dodgers agree to minor-league deals with Jeff Weaver and Alfredo Amezaga

Jeff Weaver will have to pitch his way onto the Dodgers’ roster again.

One of the unsung heroes in the Dodgers’ run to the National League Championship Series last year, Weaver agreed Tuesday to a minor-league contract worth $800,000 if he makes the Dodgers’ major-league roster, according to a baseball source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal isn’t official yet.

Weaver, 33, was one of two veterans to agree to minor-league deals with the Dodgers, the other being utility man Alfredo Amezaga. Amezaga’s agent, Mike Nicotera, said Amezaga agreed to a deal that will pay him a base salary of $650,000 if he makes the Dodgers’ major-league roster and could earn him an additional $800,000 in incentive bonuses based on games played and plate appearances.

Weaver went into camp last year on a minor-league deal, but went 6-4 with a 3.65 earned-run average in 28 appearances for the Dodgers. He went 2-1 with a 3.13 earned-run average in seven starts. He also finished five games.

Amezaga, 32, started his career with the Angels. A utility man who played everything from shortstop to center field, he appeared in an average of 130 games from 2006 to 2008. However, he was limited to 27 games last year because of a knee injury. Amezaga underwent microfracture surgery in July and started to run only three weeks ago.

“The goal for him is to be back and ready by opening day,” Nicotera said.

Nicotera said his client was steered to the Dodgers in part because of the reputation of their medical staff, in particular head trainer Stan Conte.

“The fact that Stan Conte is with the Dodgers had a role in this,” Nicotera said.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Jeff Weaver. Credit: Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[Can't Wait]

Nice signings.
.
World Series tix on sale yet?

[KoufaxFan]

Please Dodgers no more Jeff Weaver!

[David]

I always liked Jeff Weaver as he is Vet savvy pitcher who can give Dodgers 6 innings each start.
Dodgers have 2 or 3 extra starting pitchers in case something happens to starting pitchers 1-5.

[SouthOC]

Ned: Please! No more scrap heep pitchers and broken down utility players... The Dodgers need a number one starter not a number 7 starter.

[JamminKnocks]

How many fat little middle infielders can the Dodgers have on their roster??

[JamminKnocks]

How many fat little infielders can the Dodgers get??

[Wayne]

Huh? Come on Ned, this can't be the end of signings, can it? Reed Johnson for Juan Pierre? Jeff Weaver for Randy Wolf? whatshis name for Orlando Hudson? Ned, Ned, Ned...

[Kevin]

More comments by people who just don't get it! Ned didn't sign this guy to be our ace he signed him to be our long reliever, and he was pretty good for us last year. Every team needs a guy who can spot start, pitch in blowouts, etc.

Teams make these types of moves everyday were going to be ok people!

[Dodgers are AAA champs!]

Couldn't Colletti have better used all that money spent on signing the minor league players for someone like Randy Wolf?

[Gary]

Dodger fans will love Amezaga. I live in South Florida & have loved watching this character. What he lacks with pop in his bat, he replaces with speed, an amazing glove, the ability to play everwhere & an infectious joy for being a ballplayer. Good Luck Alfredo.

[artieboy]

>>One of the unsung heroes in the Dodgers’ run to the National League Championship Series last year<<

Is that sarcastic humor or is Dylan serious?
Jeff Weaver an unsung hero????? He only made 28 appearances.

As far as Amezaga, if he had knee surgery in July and just started running barely three weeks ago, what has he been doing all this time?

Let me guess gaining weight :(

[John Phung]

What does it mean to "finish five games." Is that a MLB stat I am not aware of?

[Stan Conte]

Don't blame me.