Yankees Reportedly Eye New Luke Weaver Contract, Latest Rumors Amid MLB Free Agency

There is reportedly mutual interest between the New York Yankees and relief pitcher Luke Weaver in free agency.

According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Yankees have expressed "genuine" interest in re-signing Weaver, and Weaver has reciprocated that interest.

However, the Yankees are expected to have some competition when it comes to signing Weaver, as "about 10 teams" have made contact with the 32-year-old righty so far this offseason.

Weaver spent parts of the past three seasons with the Yankees after they claimed him off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

For most of his first eight seasons, Weaver was a starting pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds and Mariners, making 106 career starts.

He had a 5.14 ERA over his first eight campaigns, though, and while he has expressed a willingness to return to his roots as a starter, no teams have indicated that they want to make Weaver a starting pitcher, per Kirschner.

Weaver appeared in only three games for the Yanks in 2023 before becoming a key part of the bullpen in 2024.

Weaver made 62 appearances, going 7-3 with four saves, a 2.89 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and 103 strikeouts over 84 innings. Weaver took over as the team's closer during the latter part of the season and served in that role during the team's run to the World Series, posting a 1.76 ERA with four saves in 12 playoff outings.

When the Yankees acquired Devin Williams in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason, Weaver was moved into a setup role.

Weaver got off to a great start, surrendering no runs over his 13 appearances. With Williams struggling, Weaver moved back into the closer role, racking up eight saves before a hamstring injury landed him on the injured list in June.

At that point, Weaver had a 1.05 ERA, but upon returning after missing three weeks of action, he looked like a different pitcher.

Weaver was no longer the closer, and over his final 40 appearances after returning from the IL stint, he went 3-3 with three blown saves and a 5.31 ERA.

All told, Weaver went 4-4 with eight saves, a 3.62 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 64.2 innings last season.

He also struggled mightily in three playoff appearances, allowing five earned runs over just one-third of an inning, which equated to a 135.00 ERA.

Weaver's 2025 undoubtedly ended on a sour note, but his performance in 2024 and before getting injured in 2025 was that of an elite reliever, so there may be some hope for a bounce back if he is 100 percent healthy.

The Yankees already lost Williams to the Mets in free agency, leaving a void in their bullpen that Weaver can perhaps fill along with incumbent closer David Bednar.

Kirschner noted that talks between Weaver and the Yankees are "not far along," though, which suggests his return to the Bronx is far from a foregone conclusion.