New York Mets sign former Yankees closer to a two-year deal

After Edwin Díaz left, the Mets began reconstructing their bullpen and have gained help again from the nearby Yankees. According to insiders, the team agreed today on a two-year, $22 million contract with right-handed reliever Luke Weaver. Last season, Weaver served as a setup man for Devin Williams with the Yankees and also took on closer duties. He will reunite with his former teammate Williams in Queens. The deal is pending a physical and has not yet been officially announced by the team.

Over the past two seasons, Weaver established himself as a reliable late-inning reliever with the Yankees, though most of his career was spent as a starter. This makes him one of the top bullpen arms on the free-agent market, on par with Díaz and Williams. After Díaz signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Dodgers last week, the Mets named Williams their new closer and began seeking additional bullpen help, with Weaver being one of the best options available.

Besides Weaver and Williams, the Mets also have two returning left-handed setup men, A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley. With Díaz’s exit, other bullpen roles remain uncertain, giving opportunities for young pitchers — possibly including some rookie starters — to contribute. The Mets are expected to continue exploring free agency and trade options to further bolster their roster.

Regardless, Weaver is expected to firmly hold a late-inning role. Two years ago, after transitioning to the bullpen, he had a breakout season. He appeared in 62 relief games, pitching 84 innings with a 2.89 ERA and striking out 103 batters, serving as the closer during the Yankees’ playoff run for the American League title late in the season.

With Williams joining in 2025, Weaver shifted primarily to a setup role. Despite some ups and downs during the season, especially after a left hamstring strain landed him on the injured list in June, he set a career high with 64 relief appearances, pitching 64.2 innings with a 3.62 ERA and 72 strikeouts. However, he struggled in the playoffs, allowing five runs over three appearances amid concerns about his pitching mechanics being figured out.

In September, Weaver expressed openness to returning to a starting role. But given the Mets’ depth in starting pitching and a thinner bullpen, he is expected to be used as a reliever.

Now 32 years old, Weaver has played ten major league seasons, seven of which were primarily as a starter. This was during his early career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021), as well as much of 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds and Yankees (including a brief stint as a reliever with the Seattle Mariners).

His performance as a full-time reliever over the past two seasons has been much more successful overall. In 106 career starts, despite a high strikeout rate, Weaver’s record was 25-42 with a 5.05 ERA. Since moving to the bullpen, he has increased his strikeout rate and simplified his pitch mix, relying mainly on his fastball and changeup, which together make up about 90% of his pitches. His ERA over the last two seasons as a reliever has also dropped significantly to 3.21.

Weaver was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2014 and has played for six teams (Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Royals, Reds, Mariners, Yankees), appearing in 270 games with a cumulative 4.74 ERA over 723 innings pitched and recording 746 strikeouts.