NEW YORK — The Yankees did not even make an offer. That might be the most stunning part of this story.
Luke Weaver agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday. The deal is pending a physical. And the Yankees? They stood on the sideline and watched their former closer walk across town without putting up a fight.
This marks the third former Yankees reliever now wearing blue and orange. The pipeline from the Bronx to Queens has become a superhighway.
Yankees pass on bidding for Weaver
The Post’s Joel Sherman reported the Yankees were not part of the bidding process. They never made a serious attempt to retain the 32-year-old right-hander.
This came as a surprise to many fans. Earlier this week, The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner reported genuine mutual interest between Weaver and the Yankees. Both sides wanted a reunion. At least that’s what it seemed like.
Something changed. Or perhaps the Yankees never intended to invest serious money in their bullpen rebuild. Either way, Weaver now belongs to the Mets.
Three former Yankees closers in one bullpen
The Mets now have three former Yankees closers on their pitching staff. Weaver joins Devin Williams and Clay Holmes in Queens.
Williams signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets on Dec. 1. Holmes joined last December on a three-year, $38 million contract and moved to the starting rotation.
The exodus doesn’t stop there. Juan Soto left the Yankees for the Mets last offseason. Manager Carlos Mendoza was a former Yankees coach. Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, and Frankie Montas all made the crosstown jump in recent years. Backup catcher Luis Torrens came over in a trade.
The Mets have essentially raided the Yankees’ roster over the past two seasons.
Weaver’s value was clear in the numbers
Weaver posted a 3.62 ERA in 64 appearances with the Yankees last season. He recorded eight saves while dealing with injury issues.
His underlying numbers showed elite performance. His 32.8 percent chase rate ranked in MLB’s 91st percentile according to Statcast. His 31 percent whiff percentage placed him in the 89th percentile.
The 2024 season was even better. Weaver finished with a 2.89 ERA in 62 appearances. He became a critical piece of the Yankees’ World Series run that fall.
Over his two full seasons in the Bronx, Weaver combined for a 3.22 ERA across 129 games with 175 strikeouts in 148 innings. He transformed from a failed starter into one of baseball’s most reliable late-inning arms.
Hamstring injury derailed strong start
Weaver dominated before getting hurt in 2025. He posted a 1.05 ERA with eight saves in nine opportunities through 24 appearances. Then came the hamstring strain on June 1.
Everything changed after that. He returned 17 days later but never looked the same. His ERA ballooned to 5.31 over his final 40 appearances.
The postseason brought more struggles. Weaver allowed five runs without recording an out across his first two appearances against the Blue Jays in the ALDS. His playoff ERA reached 135.00 before the Yankees were eliminated.
Yankees bullpen now faces major holes
The Yankees have lost both Williams and Weaver this offseason. That creates two massive gaps in their bullpen.
David Bednar currently projects as the closer. Tim Hill, Jake Bird, Camilo Doval, and Fernando Cruz fill out the high-leverage roles. But the depth that Weaver and Williams provided is gone.
General manager Brian Cashman appeared to telegraph this departure at the Winter Meetings when he lumped Williams and Weaver together as losses. Perhaps the front office decided changes of scenery were necessary after both relievers struggled down the stretch.
Williams gets first crack at closer role
Mets president David Stearns announced his plans for the ninth inning. Williams will start the season as the closer following Edwin Diaz’s departure to the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million deal.
“I am super excited for the opportunity,” Williams said at the Winter Meetings. “I think that’s something that I may have the first crack at, but you have to earn it and I look forward to doing that.”
Weaver slots in as the primary setup man. The Mets also have lefties Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter available for high-leverage situations. Huascar Brazoban returns with significant experience.
Pattern of lost relievers continues
The Yankees have watched multiple quality relievers leave in recent years. They seem unwilling to invest heavily in bullpen arms through long-term deals.
Weaver’s contract matched projections almost exactly. MLB Trade Rumors predicted an $18 million guarantee over two years. He landed $22 million instead. The price was reasonable by market standards.
But the Yankees never even entered the conversation. They let a proven reliever with New York experience walk to their crosstown rival without offering any resistance.
For a franchise that has struggled with bullpen consistency, that decision may haunt them when October arrives again.
The Mets clearly valued Weaver’s ability to handle New York pressure. Their trade deadline acquisition of Ryan Helsley flopped badly last summer. They wanted arms with proven success in the city’s intense spotlight.
Weaver spent 10 seasons in the majors with seven different teams. He’s been a starter and a reliever. He’s pitched in small markets and baseball’s biggest stage. The Yankees developed him into a weapon. Now the Mets reap the benefits.
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