Javelina Extend Berkman, Weaver; Begin Planning for Draft

Frustrated and woefully disappointed in how their season ended, the Julian Javelina elected to forego their typical press conference and announce their extensions for the upcoming season in a brief press release. As many expected they would, the Javelina announced that OF/1B Lance Berkman and SP Jered Weaver will be returning for one more season with the team.

"The Julian Javelina are pleased to announce that we have agreed to one-year extensions with Lance Berkman and Jered Weaver," said GM Jamie Hoyle in the release. "Lance and Jered are not only outstanding and productive players, but they're superb leaders. Given the amount of turnover we will have heading into 2012, we felt it was imperative that we bring back two proven winners."

Weaver enjoyed his best season as a professional, posting 18 wins, a 2.41 ERA and 198 strike outs. Berkman, who joined the team prior to the trade deadline, was named comeback player of the year after hitting .301 with 31 HR, 94 RBI, 90 R and 92 BB. Weaver and Berkman will join 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 1B Ike Davis and SP Ryan Dempster on the Javelina roster.

The Javelina hold the #5 overall pick in the 2012 draft, and are expected to fill an offensive hole with the selection. It shouldn't be difficult to find an offensive difference maker with the pick, considering the 2012 draft is perhaps the deepest the league has seen since its inception. Sources close to the team have said they anticipate Hoyle will work feverishly to add at least one, and probably two bats via off-season trades.