Have we seen Jered Weaver pitch for the LA Angels for the last time?

Sep 16, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) sits in the dugout after the second inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) sits in the dugout after the second inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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LA Angels right hander Jered  Weaver had hoped to finish the season on the mound for the only team he has ever known. Unfortunately Weaver’s back was not willing to cooperate and  he had to be scratched in favor of Jhoulys Chacin.

So the question that now comes to the forefront will the LA Angels bring Jered Weaver back for another year? Weaver had the worst year of his career finishing with a 12-12 record with a 5.06 ERA.  Weaver also gave up a career high 37 home runs and struck out only 103 batters in 178 innings. He also gave up 209 hits which was also a career high.

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So with all those negative numbers why would the Angels want to even think about bringing him back?  First of all Weaver is a leader, he is the dean of the team as he has pitched for the Angels for 11 seasons. Secondly, the Angels have a need for starting pitching due to a plethora of injuries.

Finally, Weaver showed some major improvement down the stretch.  In his final seven starts he looked like the Weaver of old going 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA, striking out 34 batters in 39.2 innings.  This could be a blip on the radar, or maybe Weaver is figuring out how to be more effective with his diminishing skills.

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Weaver is only 34 years old, which is only middle age by major league standards. Weaver was interviewed by MLB.Com before Saturday’s game and he had some thoughts on his future. “It hurts me to say that I won’t be able to make that start tomorrow,”  Weaver said. “I want to pitch as long as I can and as long as somebody is going to give me a jersey. I think I still have some years left. I’m definitely not going to retire. I’m going to play and see what the options are.”

The Angels general manager Billy Eppler said during the Fox Sports broadcast Friday evening that he and Jered have been talking both face-to-face and through text and will sit down in the next couple of weeks and discuss the possibility of bringing him back next season.

As for Weaver he went on to say, “The Angels have been an amazing organization to play with for 11 years and I would love to stay here,” the Simi Valley High product said. “It’s kind of a weird situation to be in.” I’ve been here for 11 years and you think this is where you’re going to stay forever, but it comes to a point where the business and things have to come into play. I guess we’ll know more in the months to come.”

Next: Mike Trout, Jhoulys Chacin star in final victory, and Weaver gets honored by the fans

Here’s hoping we have not seen the last of Jered Weaver in an Angel uniform. I guess we will have to wait and see.