PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 26: Starting pitcher Ryan Weathers #60 of the Miami Marlins walks out of the dugout during the first inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 26, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees made a splash in what has been a relatively quiet offseason by acquiring a young pitcher in a surprising four-for-one trade on Tuesday.
After making a series of peripheral moves this winter, the team suddenly announced the addition of 26-year-old starter Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins in exchange for a slew of prospects.
“The Yankees already had a promising rotation on paper heading into 2026, especially if Gerrit Cole returns by midyear, so I was a little surprised to hear they traded for a starter, sending four players to Miami for Ryan Weathers,” Keith Law wrote for The Athletic. “If he gets healthy, he’s a fourth starter, with a fair bit of room for growth beyond that.”
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The Yankees seem to be betting on their ability to develop Weathers, who has seen a promising young career limited by some health issues. He appeared in just 38.1 innings for the Marlins last season as he dealt with both forearm and lat injuries.
The Yankees might also have targeted Weathers because of his legacy with the team. His father, David Weathers, was a standout pitcher for the Yankees in the 1996 postseason. He gave up just one earned run in 11 total innings in the playoffs that year and the Yankees won the World Series championships.
If the younger Weathers can put his injury history behind him for next season, it’s possible that he will factor into a playoff run of his own for the team. The Yankees’ big-league rotation currently includes Max Fried, Will Warren, Luis Gil and Cam Schlittler, with Cole and Carlos Rodon optimistic about returning from injuries in the early part of the season. Clarke Schmidt might return at some point as well.
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As a result, Weathers could be on the outside looking in for the team, particularly as he has a minor league option available. But for now, at least, he broke his silence following news of the trade by sending a positive four-word message.
“Yankees let’s do it,” Weathers posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Following his father’s career, Weathers has good reason to be excited about heading to the Bronx. And given the haul they gave up to get him, it seems the Yankees are excited about the move as well.
After what has been a relatively quiet offseason so far, perhaps this is a move that opens up some additional changes for a Yankees team looking to return to the World Series.