WHAT SHOULD THE YANKEES DO WITH LUKE WEAVER?

The Yankees are prepping for their formal meetings in Tampa, and they have some decisions to make as they start shaping their 2026 roster. One of their decisions is going to have to involve Luke Weaver and after his 2024 season, I really didn't think he would be taking up such a big part of the Yankees puzzle.....but he is.

The Weaver from 2024 and Weaver this season are complete opposites He was one of the headlines last year because he came out of nowhere and he became one of Aaron Boone's most trusted arms. Hell, after 2024 I thought he had a good argument to be the next closer. But this season, was a big regression.

There's a lot of questions now about Weaver and his confidence. Despite working with Gerrit Cole since mid-summer, he hasn't looked right. He went from being a dominant figure last season to a pitcher that lost some of his mechanics and started tipping his pitches. Even scouts said his delivery was obvious, and he was giving too many clues to what was coming next. He wasn't fooling opposing hitters and they picked up on everything that was coming, read more HERE. His ineffectiveness on the mound is what made him fall out of Boone's trusted circle and replaced with Camilo Doval.

And that's not all. Looking back, now the question of stamina comes to light. Spring training was not a great start for Weaver. His velocity was down, leaving questions if Weaver's increased workload in 2024 had taken a toll on him, and if he was ready for what was to come. By summer, Weaver suffered a hamstring injury. After experiencing discomfort, an MRI confirmed a hamstring injury, and the initial diagnosis was supposed to be an absence of 4 to 6 weeks. Weaver received a plasma injection to help with the recover....but the Yankees reinstated him after only 17 days.

And once Weaver came back, he didn't look the same. The mechanics were off and soon his confidence was gone. Listening to him after ALDS Game 1, I'd be lying if I said I was not concerned. He even said he wasn't 100%, read more HERE.

"I don't really feel like myself. I don't feel like my mind is completely clear to go out there and attack. I do feel physically strong. I do feel mentally strong overall."
I think that is a real concern. The Yankees have some blame here. They rushed Weaver back without letting him heal and obviously he overcompensated in other areas to deal with it and just lost the mechanics he once had and his confidence.

So now the Yankees have to decide what to do here. Can they "fix" Weaver? History doesn't paint a pretty picture there and I just don't trust their medical approaches. Could more rest this offseason help get him back on track? Maybe, but he's also going to get a pay raise this year (he's a Scott Boras client) so maybe the Yankees are better served letting him test free agency and finding a more cost effective arm. The Yankees bullpen was a weakness this season, so I am not sure the Yankees shouldn't just rebuild it around David Bednar. I miss the old Weaver and I'd want him back, but I am concerned.

Would you want Weaver back for the right price? Comment and tell us.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj