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Clock Is Ticking On Jered Weaver Signing

When he is standing on the mound staring down opposing batters, Jered Weaver feels in complete control.

The ball is in his hands and the pitches are his to make.

But when it comes to signing his first major league contract, Weaver's agent, Scott Boras, is the one calling the shots.

"It's coming along. I have a good feeling about it," said Weaver about the ongoing negotiations between Boras and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

After one of the finest seasons by a pitcher in collegiate history, Weaver, a Simi Valley High graduate, was drafted out of Long Beach State by the Angels with the 12th overall pick last June.

The lanky 6-foot-7 right-hander is optimistic the powerful arm that had scouts flocking to his games last season will soon be on display at Angel Stadium.

"Scott and (Angels owner Arte) Moreno met during the winter meetings about things, and that's just one step forward in this long process," said Weaver, who does not wish to discuss financial terms.

But Angels director of scouting Eddie Bane said the club hadn't had any recent conversations with Boras about Weaver's contract as of two weeks ago.

If Weaver remains unsigned, he is eligible to re-enter the upcoming June draft.

"We have basically developed a no-comment situation. We haven't talked to Scott in a while about anything," said Bane. "But we still believe we are going to get Jered signed. I believe the next big date will be spring training (Feb. 20)."

Boras had a busy offseason representing several other heavily sought after free agents, including Adrian Beltre, Carlos Beltran, Derek Lowe, J.D. Drew and Jason Varitek.

To keep his mind occupied during these uncertain times, Weaver has turned to training. He is working with a personal trainer at Soka University in Aliso Viejo to increase his strength and flexibility.

"It is tough, for sure, because you want to know what is going on," said Weaver of the contract situation. "But I just let Scott take care of it, and when he knows something, he calls me."

Weaver has often sought the council of his older brother, Jeff, a pitcher for the Dodgers. Their potential Weaver Freeway Series showdown is stuck in a traffic delay until Jered signs.

"Hopefully, I can give him advice that keeps him collected and helps him understand the business side of baseball," said Jeff, who endured a similar situation when he was drafted by the White Sox in 1997, but decided to go back to Fresno State when negotiations stalled.

"It's every player's dream come true to go out there and play," added Jeff. "One thing is when you are as talented as Jered is, you have to kind of set the standard. That is what he has to understand and abide by."

The cautionary draft tale for every highly touted pitcher is that of Matt Harrington.

The Palmdale High product was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the seventh pick overall in 2000 draft. Harrington turned down offers of $4.9 million over eight years, $5.3 million over eight years and $4 million over two years.

He went back into the draft the following year, and was selected in the second round by the San Diego Padres. They offered him $1.25 million over four years with a $300,000 bonus, but Harrington also turned that down.

According to a July 2004 New York Times Magazine article, Harrington was making $800 a month playing in an independent league in Texas while living with his girlfriend and stocking shelves at Target during the offseason.

But Bane hopes a deal with Weaver will get done this season. He was thrilled when the Golden Spikes Award winner who led the nation in wins (15-1) and strikeouts (213) was still available when the Angels made their first selection.

"We knew it would be a long process, and we knew all along his first year would be 2005," said Bane.

"He is such a good kid. We hear such great things about him, and we did our research. He had a nice career at Long Beach State, but it's time to go out and play some baseball now."