The New York Yankees face critical decisions this offseason regarding their free agents, but keeping every player might not be feasible—or even desirable—following their ALDS exit.
While Cody Bellinger garners the most attention among the free agents, the team must also address the future of key contributors like relief pitcher Luke Weaver. Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners in late 2023, Weaver quickly became a vital part of the Yankees’ bullpen.
In 2024, he solidified his role as the closer, posting an impressive 2.89 ERA, allowing just 52 hits, and recording 103 strikeouts over 84 innings. However, Weaver’s performance took a sharp decline in 2025, with his ERA climbing to 3.62— ballooning to 4.40 in the second half.
His postseason struggles were even more glaring, as he surrendered five runs on four hits across three appearances, totaling just 0.1 innings. The Yankees’ bullpen was a persistent weakness throughout the year, signaling a likely overhaul this winter, which could spell the end for Weaver in pinstripes.
According to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, the Boston Red Sox could capitalize on this, potentially signing the reliever.
“The prediction here is that the Red Sox sign two arms — a righty and a lefty — but don’t break the bank for either. There are many trustworthy options internally (including some projected as starters) who can be counted on, too. Wild guess? [Justin] Wilson and Luke Weaver,” Cotillo wrote.
Weaver, now 32, expressed a desire last month to return to starting, a role he held for most of his career before transitioning to the bullpen in 2024. Debuting with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016, he carries a career 4.74 ERA, finding his stride only after joining the Yankees. His 2025 season showed promise early on, but a June hamstring injury disrupted his rhythm, and he struggled upon returning.
Suspicions of pitch-tipping further complicated his performance. Given these inconsistencies, Weaver’s standout run from 2024 to early 2025 might have been an outlier.
With the Yankees prioritizing bullpen improvements after a rocky season, Weaver appears likely to depart. Losing him to a rival like the Red Sox would sting, but the Yankees have little control over his destination if they choose not to re-sign him.
