The Mets fire sale continued with a slightly more surprising move, with reports indicating that Luke Weaver has been traded to the Pirates. Jorge Castillo of ESPN reported the deal being finalized.
Weaver was under contract for next season after signing a two-year deal with New York this past winter, but the Mets decided to cut ties and continue their effort to revamp the farm system. David Stearns told reporters last month that the message from ownership was that the expectation was to contend next year, so dealing away the effective Weaver is a blow to next year's bullpen group.
Weaver blossomed into the Yankees' closer during their run to the World Series in 2024, but he took a steep step back the following season, as concerns of tipping pitches surfaced throughout the year. Those concerns seemed to be quieted in Weaver's first season with the Mets, as the righty pitched to a stellar 1.84 ERA in 44 innings of work.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are getting infield prospect Sammy Stafura in exchange for Weaver. Stafura is a top-10 prospect in Pittsburgh's system, hitting .276 with a .960 OPS and 20 home runs in 60 games between Single-A and High-A ball this year. The 21-year-old is a native of Cortland, New York, and is a former second-round pick.
Weaver was under contract for next season.
Weaver was under contract for next season.
