Yankees Make Early Move to Address Rotation Concerns
The New York Yankees took proactive steps to solve their pitching problems. They did not wait for their rotation issues to grow worse. Instead, they acted decisively by acquiring left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins. This trade demonstrates the Yankees' serious approach to the upcoming season and subtly shifts their pitching strategy.
Trade Details and Player Exchange
In this significant transaction, the Yankees secured Ryan Weathers. The Miami Marlins received four young position players in return. These prospects include outfielders Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones, along with infielders Dylan Jasso and Juan Matheus. ESPN confirmed the specifics of this player exchange.
According to MLB Pipeline rankings, Brendan Jones holds the position of the Yankees' No. 15 prospect. Dillon Lewis follows closely as the No. 16 prospect, and Dylan Jasso ranks as the No. 23 prospect. Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY also reported on this trade through social media platform X.
Ryan Weathers' Contract and Team Control
Ryan Weathers brings valuable team control to the Yankees. He remains under contract for three additional seasons beyond the current one. His salary for the 2026 season is set at $1.35 million. MLB Trade Rumors noted that Miami and Weathers recently settled on this salary figure.
This offseason marked Weathers' first experience with arbitration eligibility. He will go through the arbitration process at least two more times. Weathers cannot become a free agent until the 2028-29 offseason at the earliest.
Marlins' Focus on Young Position Players
The Miami Marlins clearly targeted young position players in this trade. ESPN emphasized that the Marlins prioritized acquiring position players and young talent through this transaction.
Let's examine the four prospects Miami obtained:
- Dillon Lewis (OF, 22 years old): The Marlins consider him their main asset in this trade. Lewis was drafted in the 13th round of the 2024 draft. During the 2025 season, he posted a .237/.321/.445 batting line with 22 home runs and 26 stolen bases while playing at Class A levels.
- Brendan Jones (OF, 23 years old): Jones brings exceptional speed to the Marlins organization. He accumulated 69 stolen bases over 148 Minor League games.
- Dylan Jasso (INF, 23 years old): Jasso recorded a .257/.326/.400 slash line across 127 games at Double-A last season.
- Juan Matheus (INF, 21 years old): Matheus notched 40 steals and a .741 OPS while playing in Single-A and High-A. He maintains a .396 on-base percentage in the Minors but has hit only 12 home runs over 232 games.
Implications for Yankees' Rotation Strategy
Ryan Weathers provides immediate depth to the Yankees' pitching rotation. He also offers the flexibility of a minor league option, meaning the Yankees can send him down to the minors if necessary. Weathers will serve as valuable backup for a starting rotation that includes established pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, and Cam Schlittler.
During spring training, Weathers is expected to compete for a rotation spot. He will go up against pitchers like Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren. The Yankees also have swingman Ryan Yarbrough available as an additional option if needed.
Weathers currently lines up with Will Warren and Luis Gil as the expected third to fifth starters, following Max Fried and Cam Schlittler. When he performs at his best, Weathers demonstrates mid-rotation potential. At his peak, he appears capable of serving as a solid third or fourth starter for the Yankees.
This trade represents more than just a simple player exchange. It shows the Yankees' willingness to take calculated risks to strengthen their pitching staff. The Marlins, meanwhile, continue their focus on building through young position players. Both teams have clear strategic objectives that this transaction helps advance.
