The Yankees introduced that they’ve exercised their membership choice on right-hander Luke Weaver for the 2025 season. He’ll make a $2.5MM wage within the upcoming marketing campaign.
The choice isn’t a surprise in any respect. The Yankees confirmed a variety of religion in Weaver and it paid off in an enormous means. Although he was as soon as a first-round choose and prime prospect, his preliminary profession success led into an actual tough patch.
Weaver confirmed some promise as a starter at first of his profession however posted a 5.95 earned run common over the 2020-2023 interval. He was designated for project by the Mariners in September of 2023 and landed with the Yankees, making three appearances for the Yanks as they ran out the clock on that season.
They should have seen one thing they appreciated in that point, as they re-signed him in January, a one-year deal that included a $2MM wage in 2024, a membership choice for 2025, in addition to incentives and escalators.
The gamble paid out in an enormous means, as Weaver simply wrapped up a superb season. He tossed 84 innings out of the Yankee bullpen this 12 months with a 2.89 earned run common. He struck out 31.1% of batters confronted whereas retaining his stroll charge to a 7.9% degree. He earned 22 holds and took over as nearer late within the 12 months, incomes 4 saves. He made one other 12 appearances within the postseason with a 1.79 ERA, incomes 4 extra saves.
Weaver’s $2.5MM membership choice got here with escalators however they didn’t kick in till 100 innings pitched, presumably permitting him to lock in further earnings if he finally returned to the rotation. However since he stayed in aid all 12 months, he wasn’t capable of push the worth of the choice up.
$2.5MM is peanuts for a significant league membership, particularly one just like the Yankees that typically runs one of many larger payrolls within the league. For a way properly Weaver pitched this 12 months, this was one of the vital no-brainer selections of the offseason.
