The Pirates have finally acquired their star relief pitcher the franchise has been desperately needing.
Hours before the trade deadline, the Pirates acquired Mets right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver for shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura.
The Mets are also sending cash considerations back in the trade. According to Joel Sherman of The New York Post, the Mets are paying Weaver $2 million the remainder of this year and a surprising $6 million next season.
Weaver has been one of the best relievers in baseball
this season and is under club control through 2027.
In 42 games spanning 44 total innings, Weaver owns a 1.84 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 45 strikeouts.
His control is solid with only 10 walks and has allowed three home runs to opposing hitters.
Weaver has allowed one earned run over his last 33 innings since the start of May.
The right-hander didn’t allow a run in May or June over 24 innings, with 10 hits allowed and 31 punchouts during that span.
Stafura, regarded as the Pirates’ No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was acquired as part of the Ke’Bryan Hayes trade last deadline.
Pittsburgh traded for right-handed reliever Camilo Doval from the Yankees this weekend.
Weaver and Doval add to a group including Mason Montgomery, Gregory Soto, Evan Sisk, and others in what must be an improved bullpen the last two months of the season for the Pirates to make the playoffs.
