Although in recent days it had emerged that the Yankees had a “genuine interest” in bringing back reliever Luke Weaver, in just a few hours the picture has changed dramatically with the right-hander’s signing by the Mets, across town in New York. The news has shaken the Big Apple, where the swap of players between the two teams always generates a lot of controversy.
The Yankees seemed well positioned to convince Weaver, a 10-year veteran who had spent the last two and a half years in the Bronx. However, the reliever ended up opting for a move to Queens, the same one recently taken by other Bombers figures such as Juan Soto, Clay Holmes and Devin Williams, all members of the Mets at present.
Weaver’s signing is for two seasons and $22 million according to various industry sources, according to journalist Anthony DiComo, although the deal is still subject to the respective medical recognition. His arrival gives depth to the Mets’ bullpen, who lost Edwin Diaz, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Ryan Helsley in free agency.
Weaver, reborn in the Bronx
Luke Weaver made his MLB debut in 2016 and his first few seasons were not good. Between St. Louis, Arizona, Kansas, Cincinnati and Seattle, the right-hander posted an ERA above 5.00 and a losing record of 26-41 in 141 trips to the mound, 103 of them as a starter.
His move to the Yankees in 2023 was a radical change that relaunched his career. In a short time, the Bombers moved him to the bullpen and in 129 appearances (only three as a starter) he posted a 3.22 ERA, with a 0.994 WHIP and a rate of 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings, the best indicators of his career in the majors.
Weaver enjoyed moments of absolute stardom under Aaron Boone, who even trusted him to be the team’s starting closer. However, injuries limited his playing time in 2025, a season in which he had a forgettable finish: a 9.64 ERA in 12 games pitched in September.
However, the Mets hope his experience will be decisive for the future. They also believe that the right-hander is on track to recover his 2024 version, when he was one of the safest relievers in MLB.
The Yankees, apparently in no hurry
As is often the case in the market, the Yankees’ name has been linked to almost all of the top free agents available, but so far the team has not made any big moves. Among the relievers they were linked to Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams, but the closers eventually went to the Dodgers and Mets, respectively.
Now, Luke Weaver’s deal with the Mets confirms that Brian Cashman and company are handling the reliever market with a pause, relying on the men they have guaranteed for 2026. David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough should be the most important closers in the team, which should add some additional arms in the coming weeks.
The names of Pete Fairbanks, Jonathan Loaisiga or Seranthony Dominguez may be on the Yankees’ shopping list.
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