MLB Trade Rumors: 7 Teams That Could Overpay for Jered Weaver

Jered Weaver’s name continues to be thrown around in almost every MLB trade rumor.

The Angels are a confusing team right now. Looking at their payroll, you would think that they are built to win now. Looking at their lineup, you would think that they are built for the future.

While the Halos have several young prospects on the way up (Chatwood, Trumbo, etc.), they also have several stars on the decline (Wells, Hunter, Abreu).

Weaver is one of the few players on the team who is in the prime of his career and is contributing at a top-tier level.

Acquiring starting pitching is the easiest way to turn a good team into an immediate contender. In recent years, the Giants and Phillies have proven that.

While there is a lot of interest for Weaver, the Angels will not part with him easily. They are only one game back of the Rangers and might have what it takes to win the AL West.

To pick up the ace, teams will probably have to overpay. Here are seven teams that could give up too much to get Weaver.

7. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have put together a decent season despite having the eighth-worst ERA in MLB.

What’s kept them afloat? Their offense has scored 399 runs, the sixth-most in baseball.

The Blue Jays are in one of the toughest divisions in baseball and are surely hoping for realignment. Until then, they need to make some changes to their rotation to have a chance.

The Jays need a stud pitcher to be competitive, but are the least likely of these seven teams to overpay for Weaver.

6. Chicago White Sox

The AL Central is still wide open and the White Sox are one of three teams battling for the divisional crown.

The Sox are currently 4.5 games back of the Indians and could use another pitcher in their rotation.

They have the fifth-highest payroll in baseball and are committed to winning now.

The addition of Weaver could help them win the division this season and set them up for success in years to come.

5. St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals were dealt a devastating blow when Adam Wainwright underwent season ending Tommy John surgery during spring training.

The Cardinals are in first place in the NL Central, but there are three other teams in the division (Brewers, Pirates and Reds) that are all within three games of each other.

Even if the Cardinals do make it out of the division, they will most likely have to go through the Phillies and their phenomenal pitching staff to get to the World Series.

Could the Cardinals use another ace like Jered Weaver? Absolutely.

4. Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball. Despite having ace Justin Verlander, the team has the fifth-worst ERA in MLB.

They have no problem putting runs on the board, but need additional talent on the mound to prevent runs.

The Arizona Diamondbacks showed the impact that two great pitchers can have on a team when they beat the New York Yankees in the 2001 World Series.

How good could the Tigers be with a 1-2 punch of Verlander and Weaver to go along with their powerful lineup?

3. Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are a team that would love to add another good arm to their rotation.

The argument can be made that they were one pitcher short of winning the World Series last year.

Despite losing Cliff Lee in the offseason, the Rangers have been in first place in the AL West almost all year long.

Since the Rangers play in the same division as the Angels, it’s doubtful the Rangers could get Weaver without giving up a lot.

2. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees make the list because they have the highest payroll in baseball and seem to overpay for almost every star on their team.

The team has had a good starting rotation with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova each having won at least seven games.

But the addition of Weaver would give them a top-tier guy who is far better than Burnett, Garcia and Nova.

If the Yankees don’t feel like Phil Hughes can contribute in a meaningful way, don’t be surprised if they deal for Weaver.

1. Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox had one of the worst starts in franchise history. The team lost their first six games of the season and many left them for dead when they fell to 2-10 on April 15.

The Sox currently have a record of 51-35, but that's only good enough for second place in the always competitive AL East.

Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lackey continue to disappoint and have ERAs of 5.30 and 6.81 respectively. Although Jon Lester should be fine, he was recently placed on the disabled list with a lower lateral muscle strain.

Adding Jered Weaver would give the Red Sox a potential postseason rotation of Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Lester and Weaver.

Would the Red Sox overpay for that? I think so.