Re-grading all 6 MLB free agent deals the NY Mets signed this offseason

Luke Weaver: B

The Mets paid market value for Luke Weaver. They didn’t get a bargain. They didn’t overpay. They kind of just gave him exactly what the market dictated. You can argue a preference for Brad Keller over him. In any case, this gets a solid B.

Weaver kind of defines what you can expect from a reliever, a whole lot of anything. Last year’s results with the New York Yankees swung in big ways from month-to-month. His midseason injury derailed what was a strong start through two months. He did put together an amazing August before a horrid September.

A pitcher like Weaver was necessary. The Mets didn’t go cheap or try to claim Huascar Brazoban was a solution. They aren’t pushing Dylan Ross or openly committing to moving a starter into the bullpen. We tip our caps to them for getting a legitimate high-leverage reliever even if there are some concerns.

This signing can turn out to be either one of the best of the offseason or the worst. That’s the thing about relief pitchers. One day they’re fine and the next they’re unusable.

On just a two year contract costing $22 million overall, the Mets get some additional closer insurance with Weaver. Transitioned from a multi-inning reliever in 2024 with the New York Yankees to more of a traditional reliever last year, we should be able to count on him for some of the biggest outs of the year. I like to think this ends up as more of an A than a C or lower by the end of 2026.