The New York Yankees have solidified their pitching roster with the addition of right-hander Luke Weaver, who has inked a one-year contract worth $2 million. This deal comes with a team option for the 2025 season and presents the opportunity for Weaver to boost his earnings significantly through performance bonuses, potentially totaling $8.25 million over the next two seasons.
In this newly announced agreement, the Yankees retain the option to extend Weaver’s contract for the 2025 season at a cost of $2.5 million. However, this option’s price may increase based on the number of innings Weaver pitches. For every additional 100 innings beyond the initial 100, an extra $500,000 will be added, with increments of $1 million for 120, 140, and 160 innings.
Weaver also has the opportunity to earn $250,000 in performance bonuses during the upcoming season, which can be obtained through both starts and relief appearances. For every 10 starts and every additional five up to 30, he stands to earn $50,000 each. Similarly, for every 40 relief appearances and every additional five up to 60, he can secure an additional $50,000.
Weaver’s journey to the Yankees began when he was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on September 12. During his brief tenure with the Yankees, he made three starts, boasting a 3.38 ERA. Now, with this contract, Weaver has the opportunity to continue his career with the Yankees and make a significant impact.
Throughout his major league career, spanning eight seasons, Weaver has played for several teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, and now the New York Yankees. His record stands at 27 wins and 42 losses, with a career ERA of 5.14.
Another recent addition to the Yankees’ pitching staff is right-hander Cody Poteet, who secured a deal earlier this month. Poteet’s contract includes a salary of $750,000 while in the major leagues and $200,000 while assigned to the minors.
Poteet’s journey has been marked by resilience, having undergone Tommy John surgery with Texas Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister on August 17, 2022, while playing for the Miami Marlins. After the season, he declined an outright assignment and opted to become a free agent. Subsequently, he signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and made a triumphant return to the mound, delivering a two-inning start for Triple-A Omaha against Columbus on September 23.
In his previous seasons with the Miami Marlins, Poteet accumulated a record of 2 wins and 4 losses, maintaining a 4.45 ERA. He recorded 53 strikeouts and 27 walks in 58⅔ innings pitched during the 2021-22 seasons. Poteet, a fourth-round pick by the Marlins in the 2015 amateur draft, has played in 100 starts and four relief appearances during eight minor league seasons.
Poteet’s most recent major league appearance occurred on July 16, 2022, during the Marlins’ game against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he allowed five runs in the eighth inning of a 10-0 loss. Now, as he joins the New York Yankees, he looks forward to the next chapter of his baseball journey and contributing to the team’s success.