The New York Yankees, in their search to add more depth to the starting rotation, have acquired left-hander Ryan Weathers in a trade with the Miami Marlins for four minor leaguers. Weathers, 26, is the son of pitcher David Weathers, who allowed just one run over 11 innings in the 1996 postseason for the Yankees.
In exchange for Weathers, the Marlins receive outfielders Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones, along with infielders Dylan Jasso and Juan Matheus. The main prospects headed to Miami in the deal are Lewis and Jones, both of whom rank among the top 20 in MLB Pipeline’s rankings.
Lewis, 22, was one of the Yankees’ fastest-rising prospects this past season and was widely viewed as the team’s best outfield defender in the minor leagues. He posted a 121 wRC+ across Low A and High A, hit 22 home runs and stole 26 bases. Jones, 23, had a 132 wRC+ for Double-A Somerset in 2025 and stole 51 bases across multiple levels. Jasso, 23, was New York’s No. 23 prospect in the system and can play first, second and third base. Matheus, 21, doesn’t possess much power but is lauded for his bat-to-ball skills.
Weathers, who is under team control for three more seasons and has one minor-league option remaining, has not been able to stay healthy over the past two years. His 2025 season was derailed by a lat injury, limiting him to just eight starts. He pitched to a 3.99 ERA and 4.60 FIP over 38 1/3 innings.
If Weathers has better injury luck in 2026, the Yankees have added an intriguing arm. His average fastball velocity is 97 mph, he’s well above average in whiff percentage and he does a good job of limiting walks.
Ryan Weathers has added velo & ride to his fastballs, & has increased his stuff numbers gradually over time. He’s also throwing closer to his max velo, going from a ~4mph difference to under three in the last two years. ASMI found that throwing closer to your max = more stress. pic.twitter.com/Tn1p0Y3uTM
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) January 14, 2026
The Yankees needed another starter with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt sidelined to begin the season as they recover from their respective elbow procedures. Acquiring Weathers also allows the Yankees to not have Ryan Yarbrough tentatively in their five-man rotation to begin the season. — Chris Kirschner
What’s next?
Don’t expect acquiring Weathers to halt the Yankees’ search for a higher-level starting pitcher.
This offseason, the team has been connected with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Freddy Peralta and the Washington Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore. The club had also been in talks with the Marlins for Edward Cabrera before they traded him to the Chicago Cubs a week ago.
Weathers has upside, but is oft-injured, and the Yankees already have plenty of injury worries in their rotation — not to mention concerns over last season’s workload for Max Fried, Cam Schlittler and Will Warren. The Yankees still need a horse, and they didn’t expend major prospect capital to acquire Weathers. As an opposing scout put it: “(The Yankees) didn’t trade anyone they’ll miss, as usual.”
The Yankees still have plenty of talented pitchers and position players to deal, not to mention the possibility of trading 22-year-old Jasson Domínguez, who would be out of a job if the Yankees end up signing Cody Bellinger.
The Yankees and Bellinger’s camp have continued talking this week. The team’s latest offer to Bellinger was a five-year deal worth between $155 million and $160 million with no deferrals, and the club was open to discussing possible opt-outs in the contract, a source briefed on the negotiations told The Athletic. Bellinger’s camp had been pushing for seven years, the source said.
There’s a possibility the Yankees will also look to upgrade in their bullpen, which lost Luke Weaver and Devin Williams to the New York Mets this offseason. — Brendan Kuty
