The Weaver's Loom: Spinning Yarns of Free Agency and a Potential Return to the Rotation
Published on: September 18, 2025
Luke Weaver, the Yankees’ relief pitcher with a career arc as winding as a knuckleball’s flight path, sat down with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman on "The Show" podcast, and what unfolded was less a definitive statement and more a tapestry of intriguing possibilities. The conversation danced around free agency, a potential return to the Bronx Bombers, and the ever-enticing whisper of a return to the starting rotation. Like a seasoned pitcher working the corners, Weaver carefully crafted his responses, leaving listeners hanging on every syllable, parsing for clues about his future.
The parallels to Clay Holmes, another Yankee reliever who reinvented himself across town with the Mets, are hard to ignore. Holmes, once a question mark in the Yankees’ bullpen, has blossomed into a reliable starter, racking up wins and eating innings for the Amazins. Weaver, too, found himself displaced in the Yankees’ closer role, first by the electric Devin Williams and then by the deadline acquisition David Bednar. Yet, his 59 appearances, 3.90 ERA, and eight saves this season paint a picture of a pitcher who, despite the bullpen shuffle, remains a valuable asset.
The question, of course, is where that asset will land next season. Weaver, a baseball journeyman who has donned six different uniforms in ten big league seasons, seems to have found a certain comfort in pinstripes. He acknowledged the Yankees’ demanding environment, stating, “It’s a place where, if you can pitch here you can pitch anywhere.” A sentiment echoed by countless players who have weathered the Bronx’s unique pressure cooker.
However, when the conversation shifted to the inevitable free agency dance, and the potential for a hefty payday, Weaver, typically candid, donned a poker face. He deflected questions about his future plans with the practiced ease of a veteran sidestepping a hard-hitting reporter. "That's something I don't want to think about," he stated, emphasizing his focus on the present. "All I can do…is have a good attitude with my teammates, prepare to go into a game, to try to do the best I can today.”
It’s a classic athlete response, the mantra of staying in the moment, but behind those well-worn phrases, one senses the churning gears of a player contemplating his options. After all, Weaver’s 2024 season was a revelation. Plucked from the Seattle Mariners’ scrap heap, he transformed from waiver-wire fodder to a key cog in the Yankees’ bullpen machine. He embraced the setup role and eventually seized the closer job, posting impressive numbers in both the regular season and the playoffs. He described that period as a time of intense focus, of “rebuilding who I think I could be,” and seizing an “unbelievable opportunity.”
But 2025 has presented a new set of challenges. The pressure of maintaining that high level of performance, of proving he wasn’t a one-hit wonder, has weighed on him. “This year has been a little bit tougher,” he admitted, acknowledging the mental shift from proving himself to sustaining success. This candid introspection reveals a player grappling with the complexities of a career at a crossroads.
Despite his professed desire to stay present, Weaver’s words hinted at a potential departure. While he expressed a deep appreciation for his time in New York, stating, “This place will always have a special place in my heart,” he also acknowledged the transient nature of the game, adding, "I'm absolutely open to [returning to New York]," a phrase that, in the nuanced language of baseball, often translates to “I’m exploring all my options.”
The most intriguing thread in this tapestry of speculation, however, was the discussion of a potential return to the starting rotation. When Sherman broached the subject, Weaver’s initial reaction was a laugh, a sound that seemed to carry a mix of amusement and wistful longing. "For so long, being a starting pitcher, you don’t expect to be a reliever,” he mused. "Being a starting pitcher has got to be the best job in the big leagues, especially when it’s going well."
And therein lies the rub. Weaver’s history as a starter is, to put it mildly, checkered. His 25-42 record and 5.05 ERA paint a less-than-rosy picture. But, like a grizzled veteran clinging to the memory of a perfect game, he hasn’t abandoned the dream. “I’m very much open to it,” he stated, emphasizing his desire for options rather than a definitive commitment.
So, where does this leave us? With a pitcher poised at a pivotal moment in his career, a free agent-to-be with a complex skillset and a hunger to prove himself, yet again. Will he return to the Bronx, embracing the familiar comforts of the Yankees’ bullpen? Will he chase the elusive dream of starting, seeking a team willing to gamble on his untapped potential? Or will he follow the Holmes trajectory, reinventing himself in a new uniform, in a new city, with a new role?
Only time will tell. For now, Luke Weaver remains an enigma, a pitcher with a story yet to be fully written. His words, carefully chosen and strategically deployed, offer glimpses into his mindset, but ultimately, they leave us with more questions than answers. The Weaver’s loom continues to spin, the threads of his future interwoven with uncertainty and possibility, a tapestry that will only be revealed when the free agency dust settles. Until then, we’re left to speculate, to analyze, and to wait for the next chapter in this intriguing baseball narrative.
The parallels to Clay Holmes, another Yankee reliever who reinvented himself across town with the Mets, are hard to ignore. Holmes, once a question mark in the Yankees’ bullpen, has blossomed into a reliable starter, racking up wins and eating innings for the Amazins. Weaver, too, found himself displaced in the Yankees’ closer role, first by the electric Devin Williams and then by the deadline acquisition David Bednar. Yet, his 59 appearances, 3.90 ERA, and eight saves this season paint a picture of a pitcher who, despite the bullpen shuffle, remains a valuable asset.
The question, of course, is where that asset will land next season. Weaver, a baseball journeyman who has donned six different uniforms in ten big league seasons, seems to have found a certain comfort in pinstripes. He acknowledged the Yankees’ demanding environment, stating, “It’s a place where, if you can pitch here you can pitch anywhere.” A sentiment echoed by countless players who have weathered the Bronx’s unique pressure cooker.
However, when the conversation shifted to the inevitable free agency dance, and the potential for a hefty payday, Weaver, typically candid, donned a poker face. He deflected questions about his future plans with the practiced ease of a veteran sidestepping a hard-hitting reporter. "That's something I don't want to think about," he stated, emphasizing his focus on the present. "All I can do…is have a good attitude with my teammates, prepare to go into a game, to try to do the best I can today.”
It’s a classic athlete response, the mantra of staying in the moment, but behind those well-worn phrases, one senses the churning gears of a player contemplating his options. After all, Weaver’s 2024 season was a revelation. Plucked from the Seattle Mariners’ scrap heap, he transformed from waiver-wire fodder to a key cog in the Yankees’ bullpen machine. He embraced the setup role and eventually seized the closer job, posting impressive numbers in both the regular season and the playoffs. He described that period as a time of intense focus, of “rebuilding who I think I could be,” and seizing an “unbelievable opportunity.”
But 2025 has presented a new set of challenges. The pressure of maintaining that high level of performance, of proving he wasn’t a one-hit wonder, has weighed on him. “This year has been a little bit tougher,” he admitted, acknowledging the mental shift from proving himself to sustaining success. This candid introspection reveals a player grappling with the complexities of a career at a crossroads.
Despite his professed desire to stay present, Weaver’s words hinted at a potential departure. While he expressed a deep appreciation for his time in New York, stating, “This place will always have a special place in my heart,” he also acknowledged the transient nature of the game, adding, "I'm absolutely open to [returning to New York]," a phrase that, in the nuanced language of baseball, often translates to “I’m exploring all my options.”
The most intriguing thread in this tapestry of speculation, however, was the discussion of a potential return to the starting rotation. When Sherman broached the subject, Weaver’s initial reaction was a laugh, a sound that seemed to carry a mix of amusement and wistful longing. "For so long, being a starting pitcher, you don’t expect to be a reliever,” he mused. "Being a starting pitcher has got to be the best job in the big leagues, especially when it’s going well."
And therein lies the rub. Weaver’s history as a starter is, to put it mildly, checkered. His 25-42 record and 5.05 ERA paint a less-than-rosy picture. But, like a grizzled veteran clinging to the memory of a perfect game, he hasn’t abandoned the dream. “I’m very much open to it,” he stated, emphasizing his desire for options rather than a definitive commitment.
So, where does this leave us? With a pitcher poised at a pivotal moment in his career, a free agent-to-be with a complex skillset and a hunger to prove himself, yet again. Will he return to the Bronx, embracing the familiar comforts of the Yankees’ bullpen? Will he chase the elusive dream of starting, seeking a team willing to gamble on his untapped potential? Or will he follow the Holmes trajectory, reinventing himself in a new uniform, in a new city, with a new role?
Only time will tell. For now, Luke Weaver remains an enigma, a pitcher with a story yet to be fully written. His words, carefully chosen and strategically deployed, offer glimpses into his mindset, but ultimately, they leave us with more questions than answers. The Weaver’s loom continues to spin, the threads of his future interwoven with uncertainty and possibility, a tapestry that will only be revealed when the free agency dust settles. Until then, we’re left to speculate, to analyze, and to wait for the next chapter in this intriguing baseball narrative.
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