Luke Weaver shines in Yankees bullpen, poised for lucrative free agency
Luke Weaver has emerged as a standout performer for the New York Yankees since his arrival in 2023. Initially struggling to find his footing as a starter throughout much of his Major League career, Weaver has transformed into one of baseball’s premier relief pitchers. This resurgence could have significant financial implications for him as free agency approaches.
Since joining the Yankees, Weaver boasts an impressive 2.92 ERA, alongside 12 saves and 183 strikeouts over 154.1 innings across parts of three seasons. With his contract set to expire at the end of this season, the expectation is that he will attract a substantial offer from potential suitors.
This season alone, Weaver has maintained a 2.84 ERA, recording 64 strikeouts in 54 appearances. ESPN’s Jeff Passan anticipates that Weaver’s performance will lead to a lucrative payday this winter. “He’s a closer for half the teams in baseball,” Passan noted. “And he’s going to get paid like it this winter. Weaver just needs to keep his home run rate down.”
For the Yankees, the potential loss of Weaver would be a considerable blow to their bullpen depth. The team has faced challenges with several relievers, including Devin Williams, who has struggled, and Jake Bird, who was sent down after his trade to New York. Camilo Doval and David Bednar have also experienced inconsistency since joining the roster. Compounding these issues, Jonathan Loasiga has dealt with recurring injuries, leaving the Yankees to rely heavily on the stable performances of Fernando Cruz and Tim Hill, alongside Weaver.
As the Yankees aim to solidify their bullpen ahead of the playoffs, Weaver’s contributions will be crucial. Currently, the team remains in contention for the AL East title and is firmly positioned within the Wild Card race. Weaver’s ability to perform under pressure will be essential as they look to navigate the final stretch of the season.
