Luke Weaver hails Yankees, calls for early extension talks this winter

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The New York Yankees solidified their bullpen for 2024 by exercising Luke Weaver’s $2.5 million option, a decision widely seen as a no-brainer. The veteran reliever, however, has made it clear he’s hoping for a longer-term commitment with the team that helped rejuvenate his career.

Weaver, 31, credited the Yankees for providing the environment that allowed him to thrive, though his transformation into a reliable late-game arm stemmed largely from his own efforts. Transitioning to a bullpen role and refining his pitching arsenal, Weaver became a key asset. Grateful for his resurgence this past season, he’s expressed a strong desire to remain in New York rather than test free agency next year.

During an appearance on The New York Post’s “The Show” podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Weaver spoke candidly about his affection for playing in the Bronx. While acknowledging the challenges of performing under New York’s intense spotlight, he said the passionate fan base and storied legacy of the franchise made it a uniquely rewarding experience. Weaver added that the Yankees’ commitment to winning aligns perfectly with his own competitive spirit.

“I love playing in New York. I really did,” Weaver said. “I (don’t) want to say I shocked myself because I understood that the platform is so giving, and it could be a tough place to play, but it’s because people care a lot, right? There’s so much history, there’s so much expectedness to winning, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. So this is a place I want to be. I mean, this is a team that I know can replicate what we did.”

Weaver also signaled his willingness to discuss a contract extension, understanding that the team has other offseason priorities. Reflecting on the Yankees’ near miss in achieving their ultimate goal last season, he expressed eagerness to build on that momentum and continue contributing to the team’s success in the years ahead.

“I know there’s some moving parts that have to happen this offseason that they’ll handle their business on but, yeah, I mean, I’m absolutely open to having those (extension) conversations,” he explained. “I know there’s probably a checklist and what they got to do, but I would love for them to have that conversation, so we can do this together, and to try to do a better job than we did last year, and that was only just by a couple games.”

Reflecting on the season, Weaver expressed confidence in the team’s trajectory, emphasizing how their World Series appearance—despite falling short—would serve as a springboard for growth. Speaking about his experience in New York, which he fondly referred to as the “concrete jungle,” Weaver highlighted his determination to not only replicate his success but to exceed it. He also praised the Yankees’ leadership, underscoring his belief in the team’s ability to contend for championships in the years to come.

“So that’s the cool part,” Weaver said. “And I think the learning from (losing in the World Series) as well is just only going to make us more complete, and we got the leadership to do it. So hopefully, with a little bit of a time under my belt here in this, this concrete jungle, as they would call it, I’m definitely determined to replicate and maybe even do a better job, if I can.”

Weaver finds career redemption with Yankees

Luke Weaver’s bond with the New York Yankees is deeply rooted in his career journey. Once a promising first-round pick for the St. Louis Cardinals and a top starting pitching prospect, Weaver struggled to find consistent success in a rotation role. By the time the Yankees claimed him off waivers in September 2023, he had already cycled through six major league teams. Unlike 11 other organizations that offered only minor-league deals, the Yankees took a chance, giving Weaver a major league contract worth $4.5 million over two years—a decision that has since paid off handsomely.

Before joining the Yankees, Weaver’s career stats painted a picture of unfulfilled potential. Over 574 innings in 144 games (106 starts), he posted a 5.14 ERA, with an ERA+ of 83—17% below the league average. His time with the Yankees, however, began to reverse that trend, including a 3.38 ERA over 13 1/3 innings in a brief stint as a starter in late 2023.

In 2024, Weaver reinvented himself as the Yankees’ go-to high-leverage reliever, eventually earning the closer role for both the regular season and playoffs. He delivered standout numbers, finishing the regular season with a 2.89 ERA, 103 strikeouts over 84 innings, a 0.929 WHIP, 22 holds, and four saves. Weaver’s postseason performance further solidified his value: in 15 innings across 12 appearances, he allowed just three earned runs while striking out 16, tallying four saves, three blown saves, and one hold.

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