Over the past two seasons, 4 pitchers have saved eight or extra video games for the Yankees. Three of these pitchers are actually with the Mets.
The Mets may need a pitching lab in Port St. Lucie, however there’s a pitching pipeline that has instantly developed over the previous couple of years that goes from the Bronx to Queens. Luke Weaver grew to become the newest arm to go from the Yankees to the Mets on Wednesday, signing with the Amazin’s for $22 million over two years. Weaver follows his former bullpen-mates Devin Williams and Clay Holmes to Flushing.
Weaver and/or Williams will probably be tasked with closing video games for the Mets subsequent season within the absence of Edwin Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers final week throughout the Winter Conferences in Orlando. Whereas nobody can really substitute Diaz, among the finest closers in baseball, if Williams can return to his Milwaukee kind and Weaver can proceed getting left-handers out, the again finish of the bullpen will probably be strong, particularly with left-handers A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley returning subsequent season.
A 32-year-old right-hander who grew up in the identical city as former Mets ace Jacob deGrom, Weaver was poised to grow to be a breakout star after 2024 postseason when he went from a journeyman reliever to a World Sequence nearer on baseball’s greatest stage, posting a 1.76 ERA in 12 playoff video games with 4 saves and a maintain. The Yankees claimed him off waivers from the Seattle Mariners in September of 2023, turning into the sixth group Weaver would pitch for.
A primary-round decide by the St. Louis Cardinals within the 2014 draft out of Florida State, Weaver was drafted as a starter, however failed to search out his footing. Weaver was designated for task by the Cincinnati Reds a few month earlier than the Yankees claimed him off waivers. The Mariners signed him in late August, placing him within the bullpen for the primary time in his profession. Although the outcomes weren’t fast, they had been ok for the Yankees to likelihood on him.
In 2024, his first full season as a reliever, Weaver went 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA over 84 innings. He finally challenged Holmes for the nearer position.
Holmes is now beginning for the Mets. Like Weaver, he was additionally a failed starter early in his profession and the Yankees helped him reinvent himself as a reliever. The Mets signed him as a starter final winter, and he went to work including pitches. It wasn’t precisely easy crusing for the right-hander, however he completed the season sturdy and the Mets plan to maintain him within the rotation in 2026.
Weaver has largely impartial profession splits, however his stuff performs properly in opposition to left-handed hitters. Final season, he held lefties to a .176 common and a .580 OPS. He throws 4 pitches, together with a mid-90s four-seam fastball and changeup that misses bats. He additionally brings a gregarious persona that ought to play properly with the followers in Queens.
Weaver doesn’t come with out issues. He wasn’t the identical pitcher after a hamstring harm final season, pitching to a 5.31 ERA over his last 40 video games of the season, ending with a 3.62 ERA and solely eight saves. There have been additionally issues by Weaver that he was tipping pitches late final season and into the postseason.
However there isn’t any true alternative for Diaz. The Mets opted in opposition to signing Robert Suarez, and the way in which they handled Diaz exhibits they aren’t seeking to allocate $20 million a yr for a more in-depth.
Weaver doesn’t need to be Diaz, he simply must be himself.
TEAM USA SNAGS TWO METS
Holmes and rookie right-hander Nolan McLean are becoming a member of Staff USA for the World Baseball Basic this spring. Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan was additionally added to the roster Wednesday.
Holmes is ready to play Santa Clause on the group’s annual Youngsters Vacation Occasion on Thursday, whereas McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat will probably be elves. The occasion, placed on by the Amazin’ Mets Basis, will function video games, lunch and vacation crafts for almost 140 college students from colleges round Queens. With the help of Operation Heat, college students may also be given new winter coats.
WAIVER CLAIM
The Mets claimed catcher Drew Romo off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. A 23-year-old former first-round decide by the Colorado Rockies, Romo has performed in 19 Main League video games. If social media is to be believed, Romo is worked up for a chance with the Mets.
Left-hander Brandon Waddell was designated for task in a corresponding transaction.
