Former Yankees reliever Luke Weaver will remain in New York. However, he’ll be pitching with the Mets, as New York (NL) has reportedly agreed to sign Weaver on a two-year deal to strengthen their bullpen.
A Look at Weaver
Veteran pitcher Luke Weaver was once a highly-touted starting pitching prospect several years ago with the Cardinals and Diamondbacks. But despite flashes in 2017 and 2019, Weaver struggled to be a quality starter at the MLB level.
However, he went from AAAA starter to dynamic reliever with the Yankees. Weaver struck out 103 batters in the 2024 campaign, fifth-most among relievers. He wound up seeing time as closer late in the regular season & playoffs after now-Met Clay Holmes was pushed out of the role.
The Yankees retained Weaver for 2025 after picking up his $2.5MM club option. Weaver once again saw time in the closer’s role after Devin Williams struggled early on, and picked up eight saves. However, the 2025 season was an even one for Weaver.
He missed time in the summer thanks to a hamstring strain. When he returned in July, he conceded four home runs over 11.1 IP. Weaver had a near-lights-out August but posted a 9.64 ERA in September.
Still, Weaver ranked among the top 11% of the league in Chase% (32.8%) and Whiff% (31%). His .269 wOBA ranked 54th among the 221 relievers with 30+ appearances last season, despite 10 home runs allowed.
Weaver, like many other converted starters, saw an uptick in velocity upon becoming a reliever. The right-hander averaged almost 96 MPH off his riding fastball, compared to roughly 94 MPH before the move. This past season, though, he averaged 95 MPH.
His fastball is an offering that’s been more consistent since moving to the pen. Instead of running, Weaver’s fastball has shown more ride and cut.
Weaver’s primary secondary offering is his changeup, a high-80s offering that differs in velocity by about seven to eight MPH off the four-seamer. That pitch was always Weaver’s biggest swing-and-miss pitch as a starter. That’s remained true out of the bullpen. Two years ago, it had a 48% Whiff%. In 2025, it dipped slightly to 43.9%.
The new Mets reliever uses it against both lefties and righties, a sign of the times.
Now, in addition to those two pitches, Weaver’s primary tertiary pitch is a hard cutter that sits in the low-90s. However, it’s a pitch that he used mainly against right-handed hitters, rather than lefties. Weaver also began to incorporate a slider, a pitch he used as a starter in the early 2020s, last season.
Per reports, the Mets are signing Luke Weaver on a two-year deal worth $22MM.
Analysis
Weaver becomes the second 2025 Yankee reliever to join the Mets. Earlier this month, the Mets signed Devin Williams, who will look to fill the void left behind by Edwin Diaz.
The 32-year-old Weaver does provide a contrast to what the Mets have in their bullpen right now. Even though Weaver and Williams have similar arsenals, both are different when it comes to velocity, movement, and arm angle. Not to mention, the addition of Weaver gives the Mets a much-needed right-handed reliever to pair with their existing troupe.
The Mets needed bullpen depth heading into the winter, thanks to numerous expected departures. On top of Diaz, Ryan Helsley, and Tyler Rogers leaving, the Mets also had to contend with Reed Garrett and Dedniel Nunez being unavailable to surgery recovery.
With Weaver, the 2026 Mets’ bullpen begins to take shape.
The Mets have Williams and Weaver, plus Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter, who missed most of 2025 due to injury. Joey Gerber, Dylan Ross, Alex Carrillo, Cooper Criswell, Richard Lovelady, and Huascar Brazoban are also in the conversation.
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