Yankees Sign Former Homegrown Cardinals Hurler To Bolster Pitching Depth
A former St. Louis pitcher is staying in New York
The St. Louis Cardinals have devoted this offseason to improving their pitching staff after notably underperformed in 2023.
The organization has welcomed a familiar figure back to the rotation– Lance Lynn — and has expressed interest in reconnecting with Jordan Hicks and Jordan Montogomery this winter — though deals of those calibers are doubtful at this moment.
However, one former Cardinals pitcher will not be enjoying a reunion with St. Louis after apparently securing a deal with an American League adversary.
“Free-agent pitcher Luke Weaver and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract, pending physical, according to a source familiar with the deal,” FanSided’s Robert Murray said Thursday. “The deal includes a club option for 2025 and can max out at $8.25 million.”
Weaver posted a 15-17 record with a 4.79 ERA, 238-to-83 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .281 batting average against, and 1.45 WHIP in 233 innings thrown throughout his three-season tenure for the Cardinals.
The 30-year-old was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 in a transaction that brought four-time Gold Glove recipient Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis in return for homegrown talent Weaver, Carson Kelly, Andy Young, and future considerations.
The right-handed pitcher is coming off a season where he produced a 6.40 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP in 123 2/3 innings worked for the Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, and Yankees. Weaver finished 2023 in New York after being grabbed off waivers and the Mariners designating him for assignment.
The Cardinals are comfortable with their rotation and likely didn’t see much value in signing Weaver — who’s had an inconsistent career.
Improving the bullpen is now the biggest priority for St. Louis and hopefully, a high-leverage reliever or two will be signed by Opening Day.
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