When a reliever is throwing like Luke Weaver, the market starts to do the talking for him.
The Mets right-hander has become one of the most attractive trade chips on the board, and it’s easy to see why. Heading into the All-Star break, Weaver owns a 1.85 ERA and a 2.49 FIP across 39 innings, production that jumps off the page for contenders looking to shore up the back end of a bullpen. He’s also one of the more flexible late-inning arms in the game, capable of closing, setting up, handling fireman duty, and covering more than one inning when needed.
That versatility matters even more because the market is thin. There aren’t many obvious sellers, especially in the American League, where all but three teams sit within 3.5 games of the final wild card spot. The National League has a clearer divide, but even teams that usually sell, like the Miami Marlins, are considering buying this year.
Then there’s the contract. Weaver has another year of team control, and his 2027 salary of $12.5 million is manageable enough to keep interest high without making him a bargain-bin target. That gives the Mets real leverage: if the return isn’t right, they can simply keep him.
With that in mind, three teams stand out as the most logical fits to push hard for him.
Seattle is one of them. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Mariners are expected to be aggressive at the deadline and that a high-leverage reliever is among their top priorities. That tracks, because Seattle is locked in a tight battle with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers in the AL West, and the crowded wild-card picture makes winning the division especially important.
The Mariners also have the kind of prospect depth that can get a deal moving. Six of their young players are in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, though last year’s No. 3 overall pick, Kade Anderson, likely isn’t available.
Still, names like outfielder Jonny Farmelo, ranked No. 61, and shortstop Felnin Celesten, ranked No. 71, could be part of the conversation. Add in a near-MLB-ready piece such as infielder Brock Rodden or left-hander Robinson Ortiz, and the framework starts to make sense.
Pittsburgh is another club that could be forced to act. Pirates beat writer Noah Hiles raised concerns about the bullpen a month ago, and the situation has only gotten worse.
Pittsburgh has already leaned on former Mets relievers Gregory Soto, Dennis Santana, and Yohan Ramirez, but only Ramirez has held up. He’s one of just three Pirates relievers with an ERA under 4.00.
The other two are Evan Sisk, who is on the IL with left elbow inflammation, and long man Carmen Mlodzinski.
The Pirates don’t have a deep top-end farm anymore, with only two players in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 after several graduations. Seth Hernandez, ranked No. 6, and Edward Florentino, ranked No. 30, are not expected to be in play.
But Pittsburgh could still assemble a package built on volume, with names like infielder Wyatt Sanford, right-hander Levi Sterling, and first baseman Callan Moss. If New York wants a more MLB-ready headliner, the Pirates could also pivot to outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia or second baseman Termarr Johnson.
Then there’s Texas, which may need Weaver as badly as anyone. The Rangers’ bullpen is a mess on the right side, especially with Jakob Junis on the IL.
Their right-handed relief group includes four rookies, none of them especially well regarded, plus Cole Winn, who has a 5.94 ERA. Jacob Latz has been outstanding and has practically held the whole unit together, but he’s been forced into two-inning saves because he’s basically serving as his own setup man.
Rangers insider Evan Grant pointed to a right-handed leverage arm as a major need and even suggested Weaver as a possible answer. Texas doesn’t have the prospect depth of Seattle or Pittsburgh, but right-hander Caden Scarborough, ranked No. 63 in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, could be a starting point. The Rangers may be more open to moving him now after using three of their first four draft picks on pitchers this year.
If the Mets want MLB-ready pieces, Texas has a few options there too. Outfielder Alejandro Osuna brings strong on-base ability, though the rest of his game still needs work.
Cameron Cauley is another possibility, a speedy player who can handle second base, shortstop, and the outfield. And one of the Rangers’ rookie bullpen arms could also enter the mix, even if the upside is still largely unproven.
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