Assessing the Pirates Trade of Luke Weaver
Jason Shetler
After trading for Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates solidified their bullpen even more at Monday’s trade deadline, as they acquired Luke Weaver from the New York Mets for infielder Sammy Stafura.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported the Pirates were working to finalize a deal for Weaver. ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reported it was a done deal. And MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that Stafura was the player in the trade.
Weaver is having a career year with the Mets this season; posting an 1.84 ERA, along with a 2.82 FIP, and a WHIP of 0.82. The 32-year-old righty has also limited opposing batters to a .473 OPS against in 42 appearances.
Stafura finds himself on the move again, as he was traded at last year’s deadline to the Pirates from the Cincinnati Reds for Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Stafura, the Pirates ninth ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, played mostly this year in High A with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. He slashed .301/.365/.656 in 211 plate appearances. Out of the 19 home runs Stafura hit for Greensboro, 14 came in the month of July.
Assessment of the trade: The Pirates entered the deadline having the fifth worst bullpen ERA in the National League. While Camilo Doval was a buy-low addition to Pittsburgh’s pen, they improve it in significant fashion, with the trade of Weaver.
Weaver had been considered by many as the best available reliever on the trade market. Although the Mets are getting back a very good infield prospect in Stafura, how legit is the power, when you consider the hitter-friendly nature of Greensboro?
Also, it felt like the Mets short changed themselves on the return, as Weaver’s trade value was not only at its highest point, but because he’s signed through next year.
For Ben Cherington, he certainly hit a home run with this deal.