Weaver Could Come Cheap

Derek Lowe and Jeff Weaver, friends and teammates on the Dodgers last season, catch up every so often.

“We can talk about our last games and compare notes,� Lowe said.

Lowe got pounded by the Minnesota Twins, giving up nine runs in five innings, an atypical start in a fine season. Weaver got pounded by the Colorado Rockies, giving up six runs in two innings, another dreadful start in a poor season.

They could reunite soon, at little cost to the Dodgers. The Angels might send Weaver to the bullpen -- or release him -- if they cannot trade him. The Dodgers are looking for another pitcher.

“He’s had success here,� Lowe said. “I know he’s happy there. He probably hasn’t pitched the way he’d like to or the way he can.�

Weaver went 14-11 with a 4.22 earned-run average for the Dodgers last season, the only starter with a winning record on a 91-loss team. He wanted to stay with the Dodgers under a long-term contract.

The team offered a one-year contract via arbitration, which he rejected.

He signed a one-year deal with the Angels instead, but he has not pitched well and they have not played well. The Angels would like to make room in their starting rotation for his younger brother, Jered.

Jeff Weaver is making $8.3 million this season, but the Angels already have paid half and might pay some of the remaining half in a trade. If they release him and he signs with another team, the Angels would be responsible for all but a prorated part of the $327,000 minimum salary.

He is 3-10 with a 6.29 ERA, but in the six starts preceding his last one, he went 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA.

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With the Angels and USC sharing 710 as a flagship radio station, the Angels have agreed to yield on the four September dates on which a baseball broadcast would conflict with Trojans football, USC associate athletic director Jose Eskenazi said Thursday.

The four Angels broadcasts are expected to be moved to 830, the Spanish-language station purchased in February by owner Arte Moreno.

The Angels’ contract with 710 expires after next season.

Moreno could move all the broadcasts to 830 thereafter, converting the station to English, but Bob Koontz, the general manager at 710, said he has discussed a contract extension with the Angels.

“I think there’s a level of interest,� Koontz said. “If I could make a financial arrangement that makes sense for both parties, we’d do that.�

The Dodgers’ contract with 980 expires after next season.

If the Angels do not renew with 710, the Dodgers could be interested in replacing them.