The New York Yankees find themselves at a crossroads with veteran right-hander Luke Weaver. He’s quietly reinvented himself as a bullpen-collapse-luke-weaver-struggles-in-tough-loss/”>bullpen weapon just as his free agency market heats up.
Weaver wants a multi-year deal, and about 10 teams are reportedly interested. The Yankees have to decide: do they break from their usual approach to relievers, or risk losing a valuable piece of their 2024 bullpen?
Luke Weaver’s Reinvention: From Struggling Starter to Bullpen Asset
Once seen as a back-of-the-rotation project, Luke Weaver has reshaped his career by embracing a full-time relief role. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in the first round in 2014, but he bounced around as a starter who never quite lived up to the hype.
The real turning point came with the Yankees in 2024. Weaver shifted to the bullpen and finally found a role that fit his stuff and mindset.
Over the last two seasons, his numbers tell the story of a pitcher who’s finally figured it out. It’s been a genuine turnaround.
Weaver’s Bullpen Numbers Tell a Different Story
Since moving to relief, Weaver has put up numbers any contender would take:
These aren’t fringe-arm stats. Weaver looks like someone who can steady the middle and late innings for a playoff team.
A Rough Finish in 2025 Clouds the Picture
Despite two strong years, the 2025 season didn’t end well for Weaver or the Yankees. That late-season slide makes his market both intriguing and, honestly, a bit complicated.
From July on, Weaver’s performance dipped. September really raised some eyebrows in front offices around the league.
Late-Season Struggles vs. Advanced Metrics
Weaver posted a 5.35 ERA from July through the end of the season. That’s not what you want to see down the stretch.
But ERA doesn’t always tell the full story. Advanced metrics actually paint a different picture:
The underlying data hints that Weaver’s late-season slump was more about variance and bad luck than a real collapse.
Yankees’ Bullpen Picture: Need vs. Philosophy
New York’s offseason bullpen plan has already taken a few turns. They lost a key late-inning arm in Devin Williams, a blow for a team that leans on its relief corps in October.
The front office brought in some notable additions, which helps, but doesn’t erase the bullpen’s urgency.
Bednar, Doval, and the Missing High-End Piece
David Bednar and Camilo Doval have arrived, giving the Yankees some impact arms and high-leverage depth. Both bring strikeout stuff and closing experience, which should stabilize the ninth and eighth innings.
Still, they haven’t landed another top-tier free-agent reliever to round out the group. That’s where Weaver becomes strategically interesting.
He’s not the biggest name out there, but he might be the steady, multi-inning option who keeps the bullpen from getting overworked during the long season.
Free-Agent Market: Competition and Alternatives
Weaver isn’t the only option. The relief market is still packed with intriguing arms, and that’s shaping both his leverage and the Yankees’ choices.
Several prominent names remain available as teams look to finish their bullpens.
Other Relievers in Play and Trade Possibilities
Some notable free agents still on the board:
The Yankees could pivot to one of these arms if Weaver’s price jumps, or if the years become a sticking point. There’s also the trade route. JoJo Romero, a Cardinals lefty, has come up as a possible target who could give the Yankees a different look and strengthen their matchup options.
Will the Yankees Bend on Multi-Year Deals for Relievers?
The biggest obstacle to a Weaver reunion might not be his performance, but New York’s financial philosophy. The Yankees have long hesitated to give multi-year commitments to relievers, wary of the volatility that can sink a bullpen contract halfway through.
Weaver, now 32, is reportedly targeting just that: a multi-year deal, hoping for security after rebuilding his value. With about 10 teams interested, he’s probably closer than ever to getting it.
Potential Suitors and the Risk of Letting Weaver Walk
If the Yankees stick to short-term offers, teams like the Cubs, Marlins, and Mets might jump in. Each of those clubs could use a low-cost bullpen boost and might even go for a two- or three-year deal.
The Yankees face a classic bullpen puzzle. Should they pay up for Weaver, who’s become a steady arm with solid numbers?
Or do they just trust their own depth and player development to find a cheaper replacement?
Here is the source article for this story: Mutual Interest In Reunion Between Luke Weaver, Yankees
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