In a move that’s sure to shake up the baseball world, the New York Yankees are making a bold play for starting pitcher Ryan Weathers, acquiring him from the Miami Marlins in exchange for four promising prospects. But here’s where it gets controversial—is Miami giving up too much by letting go of another controllable starter so soon after trading Edward Cabrera? Let’s dive into the details and unpack what this means for both teams.
According to reports from Jack Curry of The Yes Network and Craig Mish of SportsGrid, the Yankees are landing Weathers in exchange for minor league hitters Dillon Lewis, Brendan Jones, Dylan Jasso, and Juan Matheus. This marks the Marlins’ second major rotation shake-up in as many weeks, following their trade of Cabrera to the Cubs for outfielder Owen Caissie. What’s surprising is Miami’s willingness to part with another young, talented starter, especially one with as much potential as Weathers. Both Cabrera and Weathers have battled injuries, but their upside is undeniable—so why the sudden shift toward stockpiling position players? It’s a strategy that’s sure to spark debate among fans and analysts alike.
At 26, Ryan Weathers is no stranger to being traded. The left-handed pitcher, and son of former big leaguer David Weathers (who, coincidentally, was also traded from the Marlins to the Yankees in 1996), was a top-10 draft pick by the Padres in 2018. He quickly rose through the ranks, reaching the majors within three years—an impressive feat for a high school draftee. However, his time in San Diego was marked by inconsistency, leading to his trade to Miami in 2023 for first baseman Garrett Cooper. Despite flashes of brilliance, injuries have plagued Weathers, limiting him to just 24 starts and 125 innings over the past two seasons.
And this is the part most people miss—when healthy, Weathers has the stuff of a solid mid-rotation starter. His fastball sits in the 96-97 MPH range, and his changeup and sweeper can be devastating. In 2023, he posted a respectable 3.74 ERA with a 22% strikeout rate and a below-average 6.8% walk rate. The problem? Staying on the field. A strained index finger in 2024 and a lat strain in 2023 have kept him sidelined for significant stretches. The Yankees are betting on his potential, but it’s a gamble—one that could pay off big if he stays healthy.
Financially, the deal makes sense for New York. Weathers agreed to a $1.35 million salary with Miami last week, a modest figure for a player with his talent. Even with the Yankees’ luxury tax penalties (currently at a 95% rate for spending up to $304 million), adding Weathers will only cost them roughly $1.3 million in additional taxes. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for a team looking to bolster its rotation.
But here’s the question that’s sure to divide opinions: Are the Marlins making a mistake by letting go of Weathers? While their focus on acquiring position players is understandable, trading away two young starters in quick succession feels risky. Is this a smart long-term strategy, or are they undervaluing pitching talent? And for the Yankees, is Weathers the missing piece they need, or just another injury-prone pitcher in a long line of risky acquisitions?
What do you think? Is this trade a win-win, or are one of these teams making a costly mistake? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear your take on this blockbuster deal.
