New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers could be auditioning for a new role for 2027.
New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers, who has been sidelined since the last week of August with a forearm strain, is expected to return before the end of the MLB regular season.
Of course, it won't be in the starting rotation.
Weathers will be going to the bullpen, which is where everyone expected him to eventually end up all along. And with lefty Tim Hill struggling, Weathers' role is now even more imperative.
But is it possible that Weathers could be auditioning for a role beyond 2026?
The Yankees acquired the 26-year-old in a trade with the Miami Marlins last January, sending four prospects — including prized outfielder Dillon Lewis — to the Marlins in return. They paid a hefty price to land him, so they probably plan on keeping him.
That is, of course, unless New York feels it can flip Weathers for an even bigger haul this offseason, which is a possibility.
But let's assume for now that the Yankees are keeping Weathers for 2027.
New York will have Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon as locks for its starting rotation next. Weathers and Will Warren will battle it out for the fifth slot.
However, you kind of get the feeling that the Yanks are already viewing Warren as their No. 5 starter, especially considering how well he has pitched lately.
So where does that leave Weathers? Clearly, the bullpen, and with closer David Bednar slated to hit free agency this offseason, it makes you wonder if Weathers could potentially become the Yankees' closer?
Bednar has been outstanding the last several months, but he is 31 years old and could end up landing a lucrative multi-year contract this winter. That's a dicey subject for New York, which was already burned by Aroldis Chapman on a long-term deal.
Would the Yankees really pay big money for an aging closer? Or would they prefer to just let Bednar walk and attempt to fill the role with a cheaper option ... like Weathers?
Weathers definitely has late-inning stuff, boasting a 9.4 K/9 as a starter this season and flashing 97 mph velocity on his four-seam fastball ... even though the southpaw's campaign oddly took a positive turn when he moved away from the heater.
If Weathers ends up impressing in the bullpen late this season and in the playoffs, it could ultimately force New York to think about utilizing him as a back-end-of-the-pen option next spring.
It's certainly something to consider.
