NY Mets continue to drain the Yankees free agent pool with Luke Weaver addition

The New York Mets are not letting the grass grow under their feet this winter. After a disappointing end to the previous campaign, David Stearns has been aggressive in reimagining the bridge to the ninth inning. According to a report from Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are finalizing a two-year, $22 million deal with veteran right-hander Luke Weaver. The move follows the high-profile signing of Devin Williams, signaling a clear intent to replicate the powerhouse bullpen model that defined the Yankees just one season ago.

This acquisition represents more than just adding a veteran arm; it’s a strategic poaching of talent from the Bronx. Weaver, who found his footing as a high-leverage reliever with the Yankees, now heads to Queens to stabilize a unit that desperately needed reliable late-inning options. By pairing Weaver with Williams, the NY Mets are building a versatile "relief ace" system where multiple pitchers can handle multiple innings or close out games depending on the matchup, a philosophy Stearns has championed throughout his executive career.

Replicating the Yankees formula in Queens

The metrics behind Weaver’s 2025 season suggest the Mets are getting a pitcher who has truly mastered his craft as a reliever. Last year, Weaver posted a 3.62 ERA and a stellar 1.02 WHIP across 64.2 innings. According to Statcast, his transformation was driven by a heavy reliance on a four-seam fastball that averaged 95.1 MPH, complemented by a devastating changeup that generated a 31% whiff rate. This "north-south" approach allowed him to strike out 27.5% of batters faced while maintaining a disciplined 7.6% walk rate, ranking him in the 63rd percentile for K% across the league.

Beyond the surface numbers, Weaver’s value lies in his ability to provide length—a trait the Mets' bullpen lacked last season. In 2025, he recorded five or more outs in 23 separate appearances, the fifth-most among all Major League relievers. This versatility is essential for the NY Mets, as it allows manager Carlos Mendoza to deploy him as a "fireman" in the sixth or seventh inning or as a primary setup man for Williams. His 3.03 PLA (Pitch Level Average) and 3.90 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) indicate that his success was no fluke, but rather the result of elite command and pitch design.

Historically, Weaver’s career has been a tale of two roles. Over 723.0 career innings, he carries a 4.74 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP, largely due to his struggles as a traditional starter earlier in his career with St. Louis and Arizona. However, since shifting to a full-time relief role, his K/9 has surged to 10.0, and his ability to miss bats has reached new heights. FanGraphs notes that his four-seam fastball value (wFB) was one of the highest among non-closers last year, proving he can thrive when allowed to let his velocity play up in shorter bursts.

The financial commitment of $11 million per year shows the NY Mets believe Weaver is a cornerstone of their new identity. By securing both Weaver and Williams, Stearns has effectively built a "super-pen" that can shorten games and protect leads for a rotation that remains under construction. If Weaver can maintain his 2025 form—specifically his ability to keep the ball in the park (0.62 HR/9 in his relief peak)—the Mets may have just secured the most underrated signing of the offseason. For a fanbase hungry for stability, Weaver’s arrival is a massive step in the right direction.