The New York Yankees have a decision to make on one of their veteran hurlers this offseason.
By the Yankees’ standards, this was a disappointing season. Despite boasting arguably the best offense in baseball this season, ranking first in the league in home runs and runs scored, the Yankees fell apart in the ALDS, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays.
New York’s pitching staff struggled in the postseason, posting a 5.61 ERA, and one reliever who did not fare well was 32-year-old Luke Weaver. In three playoff appearances, Weaver allowed five earned runs while only recording one out, and is set to test free agency.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand listed the Oakland Athletics as a “perfect fit” for Weaver and predicted that the Yankees would lose the 32-year-old in free agency.
“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 Sunday. “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.”
The Athletics finished the season with a 76-86 record, their best since 2021, and have a talented young core. Bringing in a reliever is one of Oakland’s top priorities this offseason, and since transitioning to the bullpen for New York, Weaver has drastically improved.
Despite a rough postseason, the 32-year-old hurler is still a solid contributor out of the bullpen and could be a cheaper option compared to some of the top relievers available in free agency.
More MLB: Yankees Will Not Consider Major Aaron Judge Move Right Now: Insider