Luke Weaver entered free company after pitching to a 3.62 ERA in 64 2/3 innings this yr as one of many Yankees’ high relievers. He struck out 27.5% of hitters towards a 7.6% stroll price and ranked thirty eighth amongst certified relievers by Ok-BB price. That was a slight step down from his glorious 2024 marketing campaign, when he posted a 2.89 ERA and a 23.3% Ok-BB price, which ranked nineteenth amongst 169 certified relievers. Nonetheless, he was usually productive throughout his two years within the Bronx and figures to do nicely in free company.
Weaver’s efficiency noticeably declined following a stint on the injured listing in June for a left hamstring pressure. After posting a 2.31 ERA in 24 appearances by means of the top of Might, that quantity jumped to five.31 in 40 appearances post-injury. In the meantime, his groundball price declined from 36.4% in 2024 to simply 27.5% this yr, which put Weaver within the first percentile in keeping with Statcast. His fly ball price additionally jumped almost ten factors to a career-high 56.3%, nicely above the league common of 38.1% for relievers.
Nonetheless, groups can be excited by his strikeout potential and up to date pedigree as a high-leverage arm, in addition to his openness to changing into a starter. We at MLBTR ranked Weaver at No. 41 on our High 50 Free Brokers listing and projected him for a two-year, $18MM contract. Which group will make the leap? Let’s check out a few of the choices:
Diamondbacks
Arizona’s relievers ranked twenty eighth within the league with a mixed -0.3 fWAR in 2025, and their 4.82 ERA ranked twenty seventh. Whereas Shelby Miller and Andrew Saalfrank posted ERAs below 2.00 in 36 1/3 and 29 innings respectively, many of the different relievers ranged from unspectacular to under common. Jalen Beeks was the one certified reliever of the bunch, posting a 3.74 ERA in 55 1/3 innings. The bullpen’s 11.2% Ok-BB price was greater than solely the Nationals and Rockies. Weaver, who pitched for the Diamondbacks from 2019-22, would assist immensely with the strikeouts, although the hitter-friendly surroundings of Chase Subject could also be a less-than-ideal match given his now-extreme fly ball tendencies. Alternatively, the membership is thought to be out there for beginning pitching, so it’s doable they may signal Weaver and provides him an opportunity within the rotation.
Mariners
The Mariners’ bullpen was middle-of-the-pack in 2025, with a 3.2 fWAR that tied for seventeenth within the league and a 3.72 ERA that ranked Ninth-best (albeit with half their video games within the pitcher-friendly T-Cellular Park). Andrés Muñoz, Gabe Speier, and Matt Brash all posted ERAs below 2.70 with robust peripheral stats, together with strikeout charges above 29.0%. Past these three and Eduard Bazardo, the unit may use some extra depth. Carlos Vargas pitched 77 innings in 2025 however was price -0.6 fWAR because of a meager 16.3% strikeout price and weak peripherals. Trent Thornton, Collin Snider, and Casey Legumina coated 117 1/3 innings in whole, however all three had ERAs over 4.50. Reuniting with Weaver (he pitched 13 1/3 innings for Seattle in 2023) would enhance the bullpen’s strikeout potential, whereas the spacious T-Cellular Park may present cowl for his fly ball tendencies.
Orioles
Baltimore’s bullpen ranked twenty third with a collective 1.9 fWAR and twenty fifth with a 4.57 ERA. Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano have been the group’s solely certified relievers, and Akin was price -0.6 fWAR whereas Cano had an ERA of 5.11 (albeit with an xERA of three.59). Seranthony Dominguez had a 3.24 ERA and a 30.9% strikeout price in 41 2/3 innings, however he was traded to the Blue Jays on the deadline. Felix Bautista had a 35.2% strikeout price and a 50.7% groundball price in 34 2/3 innings earlier than present process surgical procedure in August to restore a torn rotator cuff and a torn labrum. At finest, he received’t be again till September 2026. Baltimore is thought to be in search of an skilled nearer. A Weaver signing may make sense, given his observe report of success within the AL East.
Cubs
Cubs’ relievers have been nineteenth within the league with a mixed 3.1 fWAR and tied for 14th with a 22.7% strikeout price. Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, Daniel Palencia, and Drew Pomeranz led the unit in innings pitched and all had ERAs below 3.00, however Keller, Thielbar, and Pomeranz at the moment are free brokers. Andrew Kittredge posted a well-above-average 35.4% Ok-BB price in 21 2/3 innings after being acquired on the deadline, however he was traded again to the Orioles in November. Past these pitchers, the membership noticed Chris Flexen, Ryan Pressly, and Porter Hodge mix for 114 innings. Flexen had a strong ERA however ugly peripheral numbers and is now a free agent. Pressly was underwhelming in his age-36 season and can be a free agent, whereas Hodge posted a 6.27 ERA and walked 12.2% of hitters confronted. A Weaver signing would add an skilled high-leverage arm behind Palencia whereas nonetheless leaving room for additions elsewhere.
The place do MLBTR readers suppose Weaver will land this offseason? Forged your vote within the ballot under:
Photograph courtesy of Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Photographs
