By Nelson EspinalShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe New York Yankees will be looking to upgrade their pitching after their bullpen and rotation faltered due to injuries and underperformance.
Luke Weaver, a key arm for the Yankees over the past handful of seasons, is one of the team's more notable free agents hitting the market, given his consistency as a reliable pitcher.
More news: Yankees, Mets Reportedly In the Mix for Kyle Tucker
Since joining the Yankees, Weaver has posted a 3.22 ERA over 162 innings, most of them in relief. He has racked up 3.0 bWAR in his 129 appearances, along with a 127 ERA+.
As a free agent pitcher among a lackluster crop of relief arms, Weaver should be in line for a multi-year commitment, especially since he is still relatively young at 31 years old.
...Weaver would help any team in the majors, especially contending teams that can always use quality arms out of the bullpen.
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According to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, the San Diego Padres make sense as a potential suitor to move Weaver into the starting rotation, after the team lost Michael King and Dylan Cease.
"With Dylan Cease and Michael King both departing and Yu Darvish out for the season, the Padres will focus their offseason efforts on filling out the rotation, but don't be surprised if they get creative," Reuter wrote in his story.
"Luke Weaver has said he is open to returning to a starting role after finding success in the Yankees bullpen, while former D-backs prospect Jon Duplantier is an intriguing name to monitor after he logged a 1.24 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 101.1 innings in Japan in 2025."
The Padres have been successful with King, a reliever turned starter, and they are going to bank on Mason Miller potentially becoming a starter after moving to the bullpen with the A's.
San Diego may also sign Weaver and push him to start once again, hoping to bolster a rotation filled with lackluster options. He may value the chance to start in San Diego over a relief role elsewhere, especially since there is higher earning potential down the line as a starter.
More news: Kyle Schwarber Reportedly Has Surprise Suitor in Free Agent Sweepstakes
For all the latest MLB news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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