New York Yankees Could Make Surprising Move After Head-Scratching Trade

The New York Yankees' decision to acquire Ryan Weathers in a trade with the Miami Marlins earlier this week was certainly odd, if only because the Yankees are evidently still pursuing more starting pitching.

What was the point of landing Weathers for four prospects — including rising outfielder Dillon Lewis — if you were just going to go out and trade for Freddy Peralta anyway?

Heck, we even heard that the Yankees checked in on free-agent hurler Framber Valdez, who might land over $150 million.

Well, is it possible that New York is ultimately considering moving Weathers to the bullpen? Because it really is one of the only paths that make sense.

Yes, Weathers will almost surely start 2026 in the Yankees' rotation with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon sidelined, but once those two return, there probably won't be any room for Weathers on a staff that also includes Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Luis Gil.

I initially thought that maybe New York would move one of Warren or Gil after nabbing Weathers, but if the Yanks are thinking about bringing in yet another starter, that point is probably moot.

So could the Yankees be considering converting Weathers into a reliever during the middle of next season?

That's always dangerous. Just ask Joba Chamberlain what bouncing back and forth between the bullpen and rotation can do to a player's career. But for an arm like Weathers, it might be feasible.

The 26-year-old throws 97 mph and actually has pretty good control, having logged a 2.5 BB/9 over 16 starts in 2024 and then a 2.8 BB/9 through eight starts last season.

Lifetime, Weathers issues 3.2 walks per nine innings, but he has definitely harnessed his command considerably more since his San Diego Padres days.

Taking that into consideration, the lefty actually possesses a pretty nice relief profile, and you have to imagine he could dial up his fastball closer to 100 mph if he were in a shorter-inning role.

Look no further than former Yankee David Phelps, who was a spot starter for in the Bronx between 2012 and 2014 before being traded to, ironically enough, the Marlins. Typically a low 90s guy, Phelps was suddenly averaging 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings out of the pen in South Beach.

I'm not necessarily saying that Weathers is guaranteed to follow that same trajectory, but it might be part of the Yankees' thought process.

Because really, if New York is still aiming to land another starting pitcher after the Weathers move, then none of this makes sense ... unless a trip to the bullpen is the eventual plan for the former first-round pick.