DREAM WEAVER DEPARTS: METS WIN HIGH-STAKES BATTLE FOR KEY RELIEVER
NEW YORK, NY—The Bronx-to-Queens pipeline is flowing at full capacity this winter. After weeks of “genuine interest” from the Yankees and reported inquiries from roughly 10 other clubs, Luke Weaver has officially signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the New York Mets.
The deal, confirmed Wednesday by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, ends Weaver’s rollercoaster tenure in pinstripes and represents a major blow to a Yankees bullpen that has already lost closer Devin Williams to the same cross-town rival earlier this month.
THE “QUEENS CONNECTION”: WHY THE METS?
For Weaver, the decision came down to security and a familiar environment. Despite the Yankees’ desire for a reunion, David Stearns and the Mets offered a multi-year commitment that the Yankees were reportedly hesitant to match.
- The $22M Guarantee: At an average annual value (AAV) of $11 million, Weaver becomes one of the higher-paid setup men in the National League.
- Reunited and it Feels… Complicated: Weaver joins former Yankees teammate Devin Williams in the Mets’ revamped late-inning corps. Ironically, both pitchers took turns as the Yankees’ closer in 2025, and they will now likely serve as the bridge to the Mets’ high-leverage situations.
- Replacing a Legend: With Edwin Díaz having departed for the Dodgers in a massive free-agent move earlier this winter, the Mets are betting $22 million that Weaver’s 2024 dominance—and his ability to pitch in the New York pressure cooker—was no fluke.
THE YANKEES’ LOSS: A BULLPEN IN FLUX
The departure of Weaver leaves Brian Cashman with a massive “Dream Weaver” sized hole in the bridge to David Bednar. While Weaver struggled in the 2025 postseason (allowing five home runs in just three appearances), his regular-season contributions were vital.
| The Weaver Legacy in Pinstripes | The Stat Line | The Value |
| ERA as a Yankee | 3.22 | Solidified a revolving-door bullpen for two years. |
| Strikeout Rate | 191 K in 162 IP | Elite swing-and-miss stuff that translated to high-leverage roles. |
| Versatility | 106 Career Starts | Provided “emergency” rotation depth that Boone relied on. |
| The Final Payday | 2 Years / $22M | Nearly tripled his previous market value. |
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BRONX?
With Weaver and Williams both in Mets blue, the Yankees are expected to pivot quickly to the remaining “Big Arms” on the market. Insiders suggest that Pete Fairbanks (Rays) and Brad Keller (Cubs) are now at the top of the Yankees’ wish list. Additionally, the team is rumored to be exploring the trade market for Brewers’ relief help as a way to salvage a bullpen that currently looks thinner than it has in years.
“The Mets are building a ‘Yankee-Style’ bullpen while the Yankees are still trying to figure out their identity,” one scout noted. “Winning the Subway Series in December doesn’t get you a ring, but it certainly changes the balance of power in New York.”
