Yankees Pull Off Surprising Pitcher Swap: Is Ryan Weathers the Secret Weapon They’ve Been Missing?

The New York Yankees have made a notable move by bringing left-handed hurler Ryan Weathers over from the Miami Marlins in a trade finalized on Tuesday evening. The Marlins, keen to bolster their farm system, have received four promising minor leaguers in exchange: outfielders Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones along with infield talents Dillon Jason and Juan Matheus. Among those, Jones and Lewis hold spots as the No. 15 and No. 16 prospects in the Yankees’ system, a testament to their potential. Weathers, 26, once a coveted first-round pick by the Padres back in 2018, has seen parts of five MLB seasons, logging 281 innings with a 4.93 ERA and 235 strikeouts. His biggest season came as a rookie in 2021 with 94 2/3 innings pitched. Although injuries limited his time in Miami, the Yankees are pinning hopes on him possibly anchoring the back end of their rotation—provided he stays healthy. Not to mention, Ryan carries a baseball pedigree as the son of David Weathers, who pitched in the big leagues for nearly two decades, including stints with the Yankees in the ’90s. This deal definitely adds an intriguing wrinkle to the Yankees’ roster dynamics moving forward. LEARN MORE

The New York Yankees acquired left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers in a trade with the Miami Marlins Tuesday. The Marlins confirmed the trade Tuesday evening.

In return, the Marlins are receiving four minor leaguers: outfielders Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones and infielders Dillon Jason and Juan Matheus.

Jones was the No. 15 rated prospect in the Yankees’ organization, and Lewis was rated No. 16, per MLB.com prospect rankings. Per those rankings, Jason and Matheus were not ranked among the top 30 Yankees prospects.

Weathers, 26, is a former first-round pick (No. 7 overall, 2018, Padres) who’s played in parts of five MLB seasons for the Marlins and Padres. In 281 MLB innings pitched, Weathers has a 4.93 ERA and 1.384 WHIP with 235 strikeouts and 99 walks.

He’s never pitched more than 94 2/3 innings in a single season, his 2021 rookie campaign with the Padres in which he made 18 starts.

More MLB news

Nolan Arenado trade is win for Diamondbacks amid limited options for Cardinals

Weathers played parts of three seasons for the Padres, who traded him to the Marlins at the 2023 trade deadline. He posted a 4.11 ERA with 131 strikeouts and 48 walks in 138 innings with the Marlins across two-plus seasons. Multiple injuries including a forearm strain and a lat strain limited Weathers’ availability in Miami.

While his role with the Yankees isn’t defined, he projects as a potential option for the back end of their starting rotation if he can remain healthy.

Weathers is the son of 19-year MLB veteran David Weathers, who pitched parts of two seasons with the Yankees in 1996 and 1997.