Relief on the Way?

[The Hot Corner]

MLB is reporting that the Mets have reached an agreement (2 years/$22 mil.) with former Yankee reliever Luke Weaver. He was pretty solid for the Evil Empire last season and adds a RH late inning arm to the bullpen mix.

Looks like Edgy's repaired Oven door is already paying dividends.

[Benjamin Grimm]

32 years old. Appeared in 64 games in 2025 and saved eight of them. 3.62 ERA, in 64 innings he struck out 72, walked 20, and gave up ten homers. (That last number isn't so good.)

If we were still doing song parodies here, I could see the following:

Oh Luke Weaver

I believe you can get me through the ninth

[smg58]

Weaver is OK, although I'm concerned that the BABIP in the .220s he had for the Yankees is completely unsustainable. I would also put him behind guys like Phil Maton or Drew Pomeranz who signed for less, and well behind Brad Keller who just got basically the same deal from the Phillies.

[MFS62]

Don't know much about him, but his numbers look ok.

I wonder how many of those home runs were a result of the short fences of YS III?

Later

[metirish]

Hopefully he's more Dream Weaver than Nightmare Weaver

[Centerfield]

He had a Ryan Helslian September, putting up a 9.64 ERA that month, coupled with pitch tipping issues.

Like Helsley, Weaver is looking to bounce back.

It's ok. The Yankee thing doesn't bother me as much. I just hope he's worked out whatever his September issue was.

[Gwreck]

If we were still doing song parodies here, I could see the following:

Oh Luke Weaver

I believe you can get me through the ninth

 

That is in fact his entrance song (with the original lyrics).

[Centerfield]

By the way, as much as I'm just ok with this move, if this means that we can stop hearing about trading Tong for a relief pitcher, I'm good with this.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Tong for a reliever would be incredibly short-sighted. If they have to trade Tong, it should be as part of a package for a big impact player.

[Edgy MD]

I think, if they have to trade Tong, I want it to be for Tong.

Or, alternatively, they don't have to trade Tong!

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's what I'm hoping as well.

[Gwreck]

The way he’s talked about here, you’d think Tong was a lock for 25 starts and an ERA+ over 125.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Of course not. He may turn out to be a Steven Matz. Or a Bill Pulsipher. That's why I'm not totally opposed to trading him, but if he goes I want it to be for a big return. He may become a mainstay of the Mets rotation for years to come, but for now he's also a trade chip and if they trade him I want them to do it wisely.

[Frayed Knot]

Weaver is a bit like Devin Williams in rhat neither could hold onto the Yanx closer role ... at least not consistently.

Both had overall good numbers but with really bad stretches in between. iow, they're relief pitchers.

It's not going to be a lot different than us asking, 'Is it going to be good Edwin or bad Edwin tonight?'

[Edgy MD]

The way he’s talked about here, you’d think Tong was a lock for 25 starts and an ERA+ over 125.

 

I will lay my money on the line, right here and now, that before all is said and done, Tong will make at least 25 career starts.

[Gwreck]

…in the major leagues…in 2026?

[Edgy MD]

I believe neither he nor anybody are a lock for anything.

A wise one makes judgments about the future based on likelihoods. Anyone who believes any player is a lock (other than Locke St. John) is betting foolishly and perhaps has a gambling problem.

[ashie62]

We shall see if Mr Tong remains a Mets as the Padres conundrum plays out

Back to Christian Pache. He may not hit much be he will be an excellent defender for the handle of games he will be needed to fill

[Lefty Specialist]

I like the Weaver signing. Firms up the bullpen a bit, and in typical Stearns fashion, it's not a long-yerm deal.

[Fman99]

Believe in the Weave

[Frayed Knot]

2020's NYY pitchers turned Mets:

- Clay Holmes

- Luis Severino

- Devin Williams

- Adam Otavino

- Luke Weaver

- Frankie Montas

[ashie62]

Ouch

[Gwreck]

Other than Montas (who didn’t come directly from the Bronx) those other signings range from good to excellent.

[Cowtipper]

His career trajectory seems Brooks Raley-esque, in that he started off terribly then only got good in his 30s, so this might have promise.

[Edgy MD]

2020's NYY pitchers turned Mets:

- Clay Holmes

- Luis Severino

- Devin Williams

- Adam Otavino

- Luke Weaver

- Frankie Montas

 

He left Bronxland 2019, but the recent Mets love of late-model interim Yankee closers also includes the mountainous Dellin Betances.

I literally woke up in the middle of the night last night remembering Dellin Betances. Just, pow, right in the face.