Pirates acquire reliever Luke Weaver from Mets

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired veteran reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets on Monday, August 3, in a move aimed at bolstering their bullpen for a late-season playoff push. In exchange for the 32-year-old right-hander, the Pirates sent shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura to the Mets.

Weaver has been a standout performer for the last-place Mets this season, posting a 1.84 earned run average with one save over 42 relief appearances. He is in the first season of a two-year, $22 million contract he signed as a free agent in December 2025. The trade represents a notable financial commitment by the typically frugal Pirates as they attempt to end a playoff drought dating back to 2015.

Pittsburgh entered Monday with a 56-57 record, placing them 3.5 games out of the National League's final wild-card spot. The team's bullpen has been a persistent weakness, having lost 24 games and converting just 21 of 41 save opportunities this season. Weaver's acquisition is the team's second significant bullpen addition in recent days, following the trade for former All-Star reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees on Saturday, August 1.

For the Mets, the deal continues a deadline sell-off...