The New York Yankees are bracing for a bullpen makeover, and one of the biggest question marks in that picture is Luke Weaver. After reinventing himself as a reliable late-inning arm in the Bronx, the veteran right-hander is suddenly a name trending across the league.
His strong relief work has put him in the middle of a growing debate: stay in the bullpen or make a return to a starting rotation?
Weaver earned that conversation. His breakout stretch with New York turned him into a stabilizing force, and his performance quickly caught the eye of teams searching for pitching flexibility. As multiple Yankees relievers approach free agency, the timing could push Weaver into a larger role somewhere else, especially with teams now viewing him as more than just a one-inning option.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter went as far as predicting that Weaver will leave New York and sign with the San Diego Padres, but not as a reliever. Reuter expects him to slot in as San Diego’s fourth starter, pointing to the departures of Dylan Cease and Michael King along with Yu Darvish’s season-long absence as reasons the Padres need a fresh arm in their rotation.
With Dylan Cease and Michael King both departing and Yu Darvish out for the season, the Padres will focus their offseason efforts on filling out the rotation, but don’t be surprised if they get creative… Luke Weaver has said he is open to returning to a starting role after finding success in the Yankees bullpen.
Luke Weaver and the Yankees: A free agency market getting louder
The Yankees, meanwhile, have rotation problems of their own. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are expected to miss the beginning of the season, which could open the door for Weaver to start games in New York before shifting back to the bullpen later. The possibility is real, but predictions still lean toward him leaving for a team offering a guaranteed starting job.
Weaver said back in September that he was open to returning to a rotation role. Speaking with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman on their podcast, he explained that he was willing to talk through the idea and felt confident he could handle the workload. His examples were telling. He pointed to pitchers like Seth Lugo and Michael King, both of whom transitioned successfully from the bullpen to a starting role.
His recent numbers make his case even stronger. Weaver posted a 3.62 ERA across 62 games last season with the Yankees and has now logged 106 career starts. MLBTradeRumors projects him for a two-year, eighteen-million-dollar deal, while ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel believes he could land a three-year contract worth about thirty million if a team signs him as a starter.
Whether Weaver returns to starting full-time or stays in the bullpen, his market is trending upward. Teams want versatility, and he offers it at a premium. The Yankees will try to keep him, but the Padres appear ready to make a serious push. His next move could shape both bullpens and rotations, and it is quickly becoming one of the offseason’s most intriguing storylines.
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