Padres sign Jemile Weeks to Minor League deal

Earlier this week the Padres agreed on a minor league contract with second baseman Jemile Weeks.

In 243 career games, Weeks has batted .261 with four homeruns and 60 RBIs. His career fielding percentage is .975.  He was drafted 12^th overall by the Oakland Athletics in 2008. He made his debut with them in 2011, but was traded to the Baltimore Orioles after the 2013 season. During the 2014 season he was traded to the Boston Red Sox.

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Last season he batted .333 in three games with Boston and spent most of the season Triple-A Pawtucket, where he batted .204 in 70 games.

In 2011 with the Oakland Athletics, Weeks had a decent season. He batted .303 with two homeruns and 36 RBI’s in 97 games. He made his debut on June 7, 2011 and won American League Rookie of the Month that same month. He struggled the next season and was demoted to the Triple-A’s Sacramento River Cats. Since the 2012 season, Weeks has only appeared in 28 major league games.

Earlier this month the Padres signed first baseman Adam Rosales to a minor league contract as well. Neither may even make the roster come Opening Day, but both are low-risk moves and will bring competition alongside Cory Spangenberg and new shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Weeks also gives some depth if Yangervis Solarte gets hurt at third base.

Former Yankee Jose Pirela (second baseman) and last season’s Opening Day starter Alex Amarista (shortstop) will also be competing for infield spots.

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Jemile Weeks is the younger brother of former All-Star and current free agent Rickie Weeks. He also was originally drafted in the eighth round in the 2005 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, but chose instead to play college baseball at the University of Miami.

Pitchers and catchers report to the Peoria Sports Complex on Feb. 18. The Padres play their first Spring Training game on March 4 against the Kansas City Royals in Peoria, AZ.

Baseball season will be here before we know it.