Pirates Acquire Weaver From Mets to Strengthen Struggling Bullpen

The Pittsburgh Pirates bolstered their relief corps by obtaining right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver from the New York Mets ahead of the trade deadline. In return, the Pirates surrendered shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura to the Mets, according to a source familiar with the transaction who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been formally announced.

Weaver, 32, arrives in Pittsburgh as part of an unusually aggressive investment by an organization known for fiscal restraint. The veteran reliever is currently working under a two-year contract worth $22 million, with the Pirates assuming those financial obligations as part of the swap.

Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Weaver represents the franchise’s second major move at the deadline, following Saturday’s addition of former All-Star reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees. Doval took the mound in his Pirates debut Sunday against Cincinnati but surrendered a run across one inning in a losing effort.

The 32-year-old has been a bright spot for the struggling Mets this season, compiling a 2-1 record with a 1.84 ERA and one save across 42 appearances. Since transitioning to full-time bullpen duty in 2024 with the Yankees, Weaver has posted a 13-8 record with a 2.90 ERA and 13 saves in 168 games split between New York’s two teams over the past two-plus seasons.

Pittsburgh seeks to snap a decade-long drought in postseason competition, though the club’s recent struggles have complicated that pursuit. The Pirates endured a 2-7 skid in which the bullpen particularly faltered, putting their bid for the National League’s third wild-card berth in jeopardy.