- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,243,735
- Reaction score
- 59
With the MLB trade deadline just over a week away, it's clear where the Pittsburgh Pirates must improve to solidify themselves as a true postseason threat: the bullpen.
There are many reasons why the Pirates must add another back-end reliever, but one of the big questions is, who might that pitcher be?
A perfect trade candidate for Pittsburgh is New York Mets reliever Luke Weaver.
Weaver is having one of the best seasons of his career statistically.
He owns a 1.98 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP with a chase rate of 33.9 percent (82nd percentile), a whiff rate of 30.6 percent (85th percentile), and a strikeout rate of 27.4 percent (81st percentile).
Weaver has been used primarily as a setup man with the Mets, but that's because New York already has Devin Williams in that role. However, the 32-year-old has experience as a closer in the past and has 13 saves during his career, with one coming in 2026.
If the Pirates were to acquire Weaver, they should feel more than comfortable making him the team's closer. He has even pitched in the playoffs, which should intrigue Pittsburgh.
Apr 22, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Luke Weaver (30) reacts during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Weaver should be available for trade, too. The Mets are well out of the playoff race and could look to recoup some value for the free agent pitcher they signed to a two-year deal.
Acquiring the veteran pitcher would be more than just a rental for the Pirates and would give them an option heading into 2027, too.
However, Weaver's contract also could become Pittsburgh's biggest hurdle in a potential trade.
Even though the Pirates need bullpen help and could be aggressive in pursuing it, a recent report suggested that Pittsburgh doesn't plan to increase payroll at the trade deadline.
Weaver signed a two-year, $22 million deal this past winter, and his $11 million AAV would be the fifth-highest on the roster.
If the Pirates are truly set on not tacking on more money, Weaver could be off the table for that reason alone.
Now, a potential workaround, if the Pirates are willing to do it, could be to throw in an extra prospect from Pittsburgh's deep farm system that the Mets value to see whether New York would be willing to eat any of that contract.
Even though Weaver would be a perfect fit for the Pirates, it's hard to see a trade for the pitcher happening unless Pittsburgh is willing to take on more money to the books.
Continue reading...
There are many reasons why the Pirates must add another back-end reliever, but one of the big questions is, who might that pitcher be?
A perfect trade candidate for Pittsburgh is New York Mets reliever Luke Weaver.
Weaver is having one of the best seasons of his career statistically.
He owns a 1.98 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP with a chase rate of 33.9 percent (82nd percentile), a whiff rate of 30.6 percent (85th percentile), and a strikeout rate of 27.4 percent (81st percentile).
Weaver has been used primarily as a setup man with the Mets, but that's because New York already has Devin Williams in that role. However, the 32-year-old has experience as a closer in the past and has 13 saves during his career, with one coming in 2026.
If the Pirates were to acquire Weaver, they should feel more than comfortable making him the team's closer. He has even pitched in the playoffs, which should intrigue Pittsburgh.
You must be registered for see images attach
Apr 22, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Luke Weaver (30) reacts during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Weaver should be available for trade, too. The Mets are well out of the playoff race and could look to recoup some value for the free agent pitcher they signed to a two-year deal.
Acquiring the veteran pitcher would be more than just a rental for the Pirates and would give them an option heading into 2027, too.
However, Weaver's contract also could become Pittsburgh's biggest hurdle in a potential trade.
Even though the Pirates need bullpen help and could be aggressive in pursuing it, a recent report suggested that Pittsburgh doesn't plan to increase payroll at the trade deadline.
Weaver signed a two-year, $22 million deal this past winter, and his $11 million AAV would be the fifth-highest on the roster.
If the Pirates are truly set on not tacking on more money, Weaver could be off the table for that reason alone.
Now, a potential workaround, if the Pirates are willing to do it, could be to throw in an extra prospect from Pittsburgh's deep farm system that the Mets value to see whether New York would be willing to eat any of that contract.
Even though Weaver would be a perfect fit for the Pirates, it's hard to see a trade for the pitcher happening unless Pittsburgh is willing to take on more money to the books.
Continue reading...
