Yankees pick up Weaver's '25 option after breakout '24

The Yankees exercised Luke Weaver’s $2.5 million club option on Friday, ensuring that the closer will return to the Bronx in 2025.

The move was expected after Weaver, 31, enjoyed arguably the best season of his nine-year career. He finished 2024 with a 2.89 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 84 innings. He was a solid setup man for the bulk of the campaign before taking over for Clay Holmes as the Yankees’ closer in September. Over his final 11 regular-season innings, Weaver allowed one unearned run and four hits to go along with 24 strikeouts.

In the postseason, Weaver remained the linchpin of the Yankees’ bullpen. The right-hander earned four saves and a win during New York’s march to the World Series and registered a 1.76 ERA across 15 1/3 frames.

Primarily a starter over his first eight seasons with the Cardinals, D-backs, Royals, Reds and Mariners, Weaver was picked up off waivers by the Yankees in September 2023. They signed him to a $2 million deal with a club option last January. That agreement ultimately provided a ton of value by season’s end.

Weaver’s return gives the Yankees some stability in a 'pen that could look very different next season. Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loáisiga and Tim Hill all became free agents this offseason.