Mets reach 2-year deal with Luke Weaver (source)

NEW YORK -- In the wake of Edwin Díaz’s departure, the Mets are rebuilding their bullpen with a healthy assist from the Bronx.

The team on Wednesday agreed to terms on a two-year, $22 million deal with right-hander Luke Weaver, a source said. Weaver, who spent time setting up Devin Williams and also closing for the Yankees last season, will reunite with his old teammate in Queens. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical.

Over the past two seasons, Weaver established himself as a solid late-inning reliever in the Bronx after spending most of his career as a starter. That made him one of the top relievers on the free-agent market, joining a class that included Díaz and Williams. When Díaz went to the Dodgers last week on a three-year, $66 million contract, the Mets committed to Williams as their closer and began searching for additional leverage arms. Weaver profiled as one of the best available.

In addition to Weaver and Williams, the Mets have two returning left-handed setup men in A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley. The rest of the bullpen remains in flux following the departure of Díaz, with opportunities for young pitchers -- perhaps even young starting pitching prospects -- to contribute. The Mets also figure to continue scouring the free-agent and trade markets for additional upgrades.

No matter what happens, Weaver should find himself firmly in the late-innings mix. Two years ago, Weaver’s move to the bullpen sparked a breakout season for the right-hander. He made 62 relief appearances with a 2.89 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 84 innings, taking over as the Yankees’ closer down the stretch and during their postseason run to the American League pennant.

With Williams in town in 2025, Weaver shifted to become primarily a setup man. Though he experienced some ups and downs during the season, particularly after a left hamstring strain sent him to the injured list in June, Weaver still made a career-high 64 relief appearances with a 3.62 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. He struggled in the postseason, however, allowing five runs in three appearances amid pitch-tipping concerns.

In September, Weaver expressed openness to returning to a starting role. Yet the Mets, who are rich in starting depth but weak in the bullpen, will use him as a reliever.

The 32-year-old Weaver has now pitched 10 seasons in the big leagues. Seven of those 10 have been primarily as a starter, which is the role Weaver held at the start of his career with the Cardinals and D-backs from 2016-21, and for most of 2023 with the Reds and Yankees (with a brief stint as a reliever for the Mariners in between).

His last two seasons as a full-time reliever have been, overall, much more successful. In 106 career starts, Weaver is 25-42 with a 5.05 ERA despite a high strikeout rate. Since joining the bullpen, Weaver has spiked that strikeout rate while simplifying his pitch mix. He’s now largely a fastball-changeup artist, throwing those two pitches around 90 percent of the time. His 3.21 ERA the last two seasons is also much lower.

A first-round Draft pick by St. Louis in 2014, Weaver has pitched in 270 games for six teams throughout his career -- the Cardinals, D-backs, Royals, Reds, Mariners and Yankees -- with a 4.74 ERA and 746 strikeouts in 723 innings (9.3 K/9).