Breaking News: The New York Yankees just made a significant trade, but at what cost?
On Tuesday, the Yankees acquired left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers from the Marlins. This move, however, came with a hefty price tag. To secure Weathers, the Yankees parted ways with four prospects, a move that has many baseball insiders talking.
The Yankees sent a quartet of promising players to Miami. This included three prospects ranked within the top 30 of the Yankees' farm system, according to MLB Pipeline: outfielders Brendan Jones (No. 15) and Dillon Lewis (No. 16), and infielder Dillon Jasso (No. 23). Shortstop Juan Matheus also joined the Marlins in the deal.
"That’s a power arm with swing-and-miss stuff," an MLB scout told NJ Advance Media, highlighting Weathers' potential. "I saw Weathers get up to 96 mph last season. But they sure gave up a lot to get a depth piece. That’s a steep price. Wow!"
But here's where it gets controversial... The scout, who chose to remain anonymous, raised a crucial question: "The biggest question with this guy is, ‘Can he stay healthy?’ Durability is going to be the main thing.”
Weathers, at 26 years old, has a history of injuries. Last season, he was limited to just eight starts, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.99 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. He missed time due to a flexor strain and a lat strain. Further back, he dealt with an ankle injury in 2021 and a finger strain in 2024.
Over his five MLB seasons, Weathers has a record of 12-23 with a 4.93 ERA in 70 games, 55 as a starter. He has accumulated 235 strikeouts over 281 innings.
Weathers, a native of Loretto, Tennessee, was originally drafted seventh overall in 2018 by the Padres. He was later traded to the Marlins on August 1, 2023, in exchange for infielder Garrett Cooper and right-handed pitcher Sean Reynolds.
And this is the part most people miss... With Yankees starters Carlos Rodon, Gerrit Cole, and Clarke Schmidt starting the 2026 season on the IL, Weathers is expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training, along with fellow left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. He could also find himself in the Yankees’ bullpen.
Randy Miller, the author of this piece, hails from Jeannette, Pa., and has been covering sports since he was 15 years old.
What do you think of this trade? Do you believe the Yankees paid too much for Weathers, or is his potential worth the risk? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Is Weathers' injury history a major concern, or can he overcome it? Let's discuss!
