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Devin Williams left the Yankees and signed with the New York Mets on Monday.
Fans of the New York Yankees may be relieved to see Devin Williams go over the Whitestone Bridge to Queens. But they would not feel so excited about Luke Weaver leaving for an American League rival.
That’s what MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand predicted though, with Weaver leaving for the Athletics of the AL West in a free-agent deal.
Williams, the prized offseason acquisition in a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers last year, agreed to a reported three-year, $50 million contract with the New York Mets on Monday. He went 4-6 with a 4.79 ERA and 18 saves but lost his closer role after blowing four saves and posting a minus-0.3 bWAR in his lone season in the Bronx.
Weaver is much more beloved among Yankees fans, both due to his quirky and thoughtful demeanor and also his ability to rise to the moment amid the club’s 2024 run to the World Series. Weaver is 12-8 with a 3.22 ERA and 12 saves in his three seasons with the Yankees, plus went 1-0 with four saves as the closer during the 2024 postseason.
Luke Weaver Is Predicted To Sign With The Athletics
Weaver is, of course, a free agent. After the Yankees overhauled their bullpen with controllable arms — namely, closer David Bednar and right-handed setup men Camilo Doval and Jake Bird — they may not have a spot for Weaver, who regressed in 2025.
But according to Feinsand, the A’s, who are planning to move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, may want to beef up their payroll more for 2026. They, of course, signed former-Yankees pitcher Luis Severino to a huge offseason contract last year and could be in line to make a splash with Weaver, who could close for them in Year 2 in Sacramento.
“Last summer’s trade of Mason Miller left a big hole in the Athletics’ bullpen, one they could look to fill via free agency,” Feinsand wrote on MLB.com. “Weaver had two solid years with the Yankees, though his performance dipped last season after a hamstring strain sent him to the IL for three weeks in June. Still, the 32-year-old ranked in the top 20 percent of the league in chase, whiff and strikeout percentage in each of the past two seasons.”
Mark Feinsand Predicted the Yankees Will Lose Cody Bellinger, Add Bo Bichette
Weaver and Williams may not be the only 2025 Yankees to bolt, and Williams may not be the only one to go across town to Flushing. Feinsand predicted New York would lose free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger to the Mets, as well.
“The recent trade of Brandon Nimmo opened a spot in the Mets’ outfield, creating an opportunity for Bellinger, who proved his ability to perform in New York during his first season with the Yankees,” Feinsand wrote. “Bellinger would also provide first-base insurance in the event that Pete Alonso signs elsewhere.”
But according to Feinsand, who covered the Yankees for years for the New York Daily News before joining the league website, those moves could be mitigated by New York upgrading its shortstop spot and poaching Bo Bichette from the rival Toronto Blue Jays.
“Many view Bichette as a future second baseman,” Feinsand reported. “With Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgery and Jazz Chisholm Jr. set to become a free agent next year, Bichette could step in at shortstop and give New York a long-term plan at second base if Chisholm leaves.”
Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens
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