With the MLB Winter Meetings in the books, the New York Yankees are hoping to retain this right-handed reliever who was pivotal for them last season.
According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Yankees are showing a "genuine" interest in a reunion with right-handed reliever Luke Weaver, citing that the feeling is mutual with Weaver's camp. Kirschner also reported that 10 teams are also interested in him.
The 32-year-old had a strong season for the Bronx Bombers last year and quickly became manager Aaron Boone's most reliable arm out of the bullpen. In a career-high 64 games, Weaver went 4-4 with a 3.62 ERA, 72 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.02 across 64.2 innings pitched. Weaver also recorded eight saves for the Yankees after their primary closer, Devin Williams, was demoted from the role on April 27. Williams, though, would end up re-gaining the closer's role.
Weaver's best season for New York, however, came in 2024 when he logged a career-best 2.89 ERA in 62 games with 103 punchouts (also a career-high) in 84 innings pitched. With the aforementioned Williams now with the New York Mets after signing a three-year, $51 million deal on December 3 to be their closer, the Yankees' interest in bringing back Weaver may be robust.
The Yankees' current arms out of the bullpen consist of Tim Hill, Jake Bird, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, and David Bednar, who is expected to be their closer in 2026.
With Weaver to be one of the most high-leverage pitchers of the bullpen for the Yankees, especially over the last couple of seasons, his addition would undoubtedly be a massive boost for them in what is expected to be a very competitive AL East next season.