The Pirates grabbed a reliever with term on August 3, as Mets pitcher Luke Weaver is on his way to Pittsburgh. In return, the Mets received shortstop Sammy Stafura, who was having a very good year in High-A.
The Pirates’ Return
- RP Luke Weaver (1.84 ERA, 45 K over 44 IP)
Since the start of May, Luke Weaver has allowed just one earned run. That’s how good the right-hander has been for the Mets this season.
Weaver, who signed with the team in the winter to tag-team with Devin Williams, was one of baseball’s best relievers this season. His opponents’ wOBA of .213 was fifth-best among relievers with at least 150 plate appearances against batters this season. The only ones with better ones were ex-Pirate Colin Holderman, Dylan Lee, Jacob Latz, & Mason Miller.
He can get on opposing batters with a three-pitch mix, including a hard fastball, his signature changeup that had a near-40% swing-and-miss rate, as well as a cutter. Gone are the days when Weaver was juggling through a deep pitch mix as a back-end starter.
While he mainly worked as a setup man with the Mets, Weaver does have closing experience. He worked in that role both in 2024 and 2025 with the Yankees.
The Mets’ Return
- SS Sammy Stafura (.276/.367/.593, 20 HR & 31 XBH over 60 GP (A & A+))
This is the second time that Sammy Stafura was traded in one year. Last year, the Reds, who drafted him, shipped him to Pittsburgh for Ke’Bryan Hayes. Now, the club moved him again for a reliever.
The 21-year-old from Upstate New York has long been an intriguing prospect. A former second-round pick, he showed some pop down in Low-A last season with Daytona before he moved to High-A Greensboro, where he did struggle late last season. Stafura, though, broke through in July of this year with a 14-home run month down in High-A Greensboro.
A 20-20 hitter in the Minors this season, Stafura is an aggressive hitter who did exhibit a good amount of swing-and-miss.
Analysis
While the Mets didn’t get any of the Pirates’ premium prospects, the club did get a likely top-15 prospect in Stafura, someone who does have upside & plays shortstop. Additionally, Stafura also has some experience at second base.
As for the Pirates, it’s all hands on deck, as the club fortified a weakness for the club heading into the deadline. First, Camilo Doval. And now, Luke Weaver, who has been very good in each of the last three seasons.
Check out more of our MLB coverage.