The New York Mets have strengthened their bullpen by signing right-hander Luke Weaver to a two-year, $22 million contract, marking a significant move for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season. This deal reunites Weaver with Devin Williams, both of whom played instrumental late-inning roles for the New York Yankees last season. Weaver is set to join left-handed pitchers A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley as key set-up options behind Williams, who will assume the closer role formerly held by Edwin Díaz.
Weaver’s addition is strategically timed as he aims to regain his form from two seasons ago after experiencing a challenging 2025. While he had a standout 2024, achieving a 2.89 ERA through 62 games and earning acclaim from fans for his engaging personality and performance under pressure—including stepping in as the Yankees’ closer during the playoffs—2025 proved to be more difficult. His ERA climbed to 3.62 after starting the year strong, struggling notably post-injury after a left hamstring strain significantly impacted his performance.
Despite the ups and downs in Weaver’s recent track record, there are promising signs for his future. His expected batting average against was an impressive .196, placing him within the top fifth percentile of MLB pitchers. Additionally, his strong metrics, including chase and whiff rates, suggest that he still possesses the skills to be effective. However, a slight decrease in fastball velocity, dropping from 95.7 mph to 95.1 mph, could be something to monitor moving forward.
Drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 from Florida State University, Weaver has had an extensive career across six teams, including stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, and Seattle Mariners. With the Mets’ investment in him, they are clearly betting on his capability to make a significant impact in the late innings, ultimately hoping to bolster their performance in a competitive league. This acquisition reflects the Mets’ ambition to enhance their roster and build a formidable team for the upcoming season.