Luke Weaver traded to the Pirates

[Cowtipper]

Oh Luke, we hardly knew ye. You were one hell of a pitcher. A true bright spot.

Mets are getting shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura in return. He's already a 20-20 guy in the minors this year. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/pirates-working-to-acquire-luke-weaver.html

Three of the top-five most used relievers in the bullpen have been traded so far. It's gonna be a rough second half, I think. 

[seawolf17]

Infielder Sammy Stafura, sez mlb.com. Scouting report:

Stafura has spent most of his season at High-A Greensboro. He is slashing .299/.363/.638 with a .420 wOBA, and 139 wRC+. Stafura already has 17 home runs over 201 plate appearances, and has gone 15-for-16 in stolen base attempts. Stafura has a 9.5% walk rate for the Grasshoppers, but has other issues regarding his plate discipline. He has struck out at a 30.3% clip with a called and swinging strike rate of 30%.

Stafura’s Scouting Report
Stafura is a potential future power-speed threat. He has shown good raw power and has plenty of pop to his pull side. Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline project his running at 60 grade or better. He used that speed to have back-to-back 30-steal seasons in 2024 and 2025. Plus, that quickness gives him range up the middle. His defensive prowess at shortstop looks good. Along with his range, BA praises his “sure hands and reliable internal clock.” His defense, speed, and pop give him a strong floor of a utility infielder, and his ceiling will be determined by how much his hit tool and plate discipline develop.

[Edgy MD]

wOw!!

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I don;t have a feel for how correctable whiff rates are, much less 30% whiff rates.

Fun Fact: Strafura has already been traded from the Reds to the Pirates for Ke'bryan Hayes

[Gwreck]

This is the first guy coming back who seems really exciting as a prospect.

[Edgy MD]

17 minutes ago, Cowtipper said:

Three of the top-five most used relievers in the bullpen have been traded so far. It's gonna be a rough second half, I think. 

It's been rough pretty much all season, and a third of the second half is gone.

I think it's probably likely that they'll improve — due to, if nothing else, the low, low bar that is set against.

[ashie62]

One of the better returns I have seen today across the board

 

[Centerfield]

10 minutes ago, Gwreck said:

This is the first guy coming back who seems really exciting as a prospect.

Yeah.  My reactions before this:

"Hey, we got Benny Abgayani's son"

"That's it?"

[seawolf17]

[Gwreck]

13 minutes ago, Edgy MD said:

.

I think it's probably likely that they'll improve — due to, if nothing else, the low, low bar that is set against.

Also the remaining schedule.  No more Dodgers, only 3 games left against Atlanta, Milwaukee and Philly.  15 games in September against other selling teams (WAS, MIA, SF, BAL).

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

that's good to hear

 

[seawolf17]

I mean, hey, there's a chance this team finishes the season 96-66. Wouldn't *that* be a story!

[Frayed Knot]

42 minutes ago, Gwreck said:

This is the first guy coming back who seems really exciting as a prospect.

Not surprising that it comes for the guy who was the most attractive of the NYM trade bait crew.

[Edgy MD]

And the solitary guy sent in return for him.

[Frayed Knot]

Mets also kicked in a lot of money.

You wouldn't normally think that would be necessary given Weaver's season, but it sounds like it was a combo of being the Pirates as the partner and the Mets hunting for the prospect they want and being willing to pay for it.