Is Luke Weaver good enough to pursue in a trade?

The New York Mets didn’t sign free agent Carlos Rodon or Yusei Kikuchi. Likely now limited to making a trade to bolster their rotation before the start of the 2022 season, one of the recent Mets trade rumors has linked them to Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Luke Weaver.

A former first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, he ended up with the Diamondbacks in the Paul Goldschmidt trade back in 2018. His big league career hasn’t been too successful. He enters this coming year with a 23-35 record and 4.64 ERA.

Weaver has also dealt with some injuries, making just 12 starts in 2019 and another 13 last season in 2021. He’s a risk and not exactly the type of pitcher most fans were hoping to see headline offseason Mets trade rumors.

Mets trade rumors have linked them to Diamondbacks pitcher Luke Weaver

There is a debate Mets fans can have in regards to the final piece they add to the rotation. Do they need a number three, four, or five starter? Your answer will depend on how much you trust Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker. The more you believe in them, the less you will believe it’s a number three starter the team will need.

Weaver is a number five option. Frankly, he’s someone who could just as easily perform worse than the two top internal options, Tylor Megill and David Peterson. Even at a light cost, it’s hard to believe he’s the starting pitcher the Mets need to pursue.

Last winter, the Mets attempted to do something similar but more with the purpose of adding depth. They added Joey Lucceshi in a three-team deal. It took him a while to get comfortable as a starter on the mound. Shortly thereafter, he went down with a season-ending injury.

Having starting pitching depth is important. These Mets trade rumors suggesting they could try to add Weaver are different. Any major trade the Mets make for a starting pitcher needs to be for a guy with a secured spot in the rotation—not someone who needs to battle for a spot.

The Mets seem to already have some decent starting pitching depth, especially if you add one more piece into the mix. Megill or Peterson is guaranteed to provide them with depth. From the bullpen, Trevor Williams is a guy who could also give them length as can Jordan Yamamoto whose role in 2022 is likely to have him ready and waiting in Triple-A.

Weaver is not the kind of pitcher the Mets should be chasing after in a trade. Upside or not, it’s better to get someone with the least amount of questions and a shinier resume.