Yankees should also target Mets outfielder if they're eyeing Luke Weaver trade

As the New York Mets continue their downward spiral over in Queens, it might be hard to believe that the worst roster money can buy could provide any solutions for the Yankees at the trade deadline. It's true that the Mets are littered with disappointments, but there are a pair of players who stand out as great fits for what the Yankees need.

First and foremost, we have old friend Luke Weaver, who made it a point to playfully poke at the Yankees during spring training. We understand any apprehension fans might feel given how things ended for Weaver in the Bronx, but he might be the best reliever not named Mason Miller on the market. That deserves a closer look.

Through July 27, Weaver had thrown 42 innings and struck out 26.4% of batters while posting a 6.7% walk rate, leading to a 1.93 ERA. Even if you want to cast doubt due to his unsustainably low .202 BABIP and slightly high 82.3% left-on-base rate, his 2.88 xERA and 2.92 FIP point to superb performance even if there's some regression on the horizon.

There's another thing to consider, too. While we remember Weaver struggling to get a single out against the Blue Jays in the ALDS last year, his 2025 season can be effectively divided into two parts. There's the first part of the year up until he went down with a left hamstring strain, covering Opening Day through May 31. During that span, he racked up 25 2/3 innings with a razor-thin 1.05 ERA.

He'd miss about three weeks, returning on June 20 to post a 5.31 ERA over 39 frames. The difference was drastic, and one has to wonder if maybe there were some lingering effects from his injury. That's pure speculation, but whenever you have such a stark line of demarcation between excellent and poor performance, it can't be ruled out.

As good as an addition Weaver would be to the Yankees' pen, it's his teammate Tyrone Taylor who is the underrated get.

Yankees should focus on expanded Luke Weaver trade with Mets

Weaver fits a big need in the bullpen, which can't be ignored, but the Mets aren't going to give him away for free. He's under contract for a fair amount of $12.5 million next season, so if they aren't blown away by an offer the very well might keep him in an attempt to compete again next season.

If the price rises past a certain point, it would be wise for the Yankees to instead pony up a bit more and go get Mason Miller from the Padres.

Tyrone Taylor might be best known to Yankees fans for crushing a hanging curveball from David Bednar in an embarrassing meltdown back in May. Coincidentally, that was possibly the moment that sparked Bednar's ridiculous run over the last two months.

More importantly, he'd give the Yankees a lot of what they're lacking right now. The 32-year-old is hitting .250/.294/.507 with nine homers over 148 plate appearances this season. That's good for a 118 wRC+.

He can play all three outfield positions, providing average-to-above-average defense at each. He's also a right-handed hitter and a free agent at the end of the season. With Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge on the shelf, he'd be a big boost in the Yankees' time of need. He'd also be able to help spell Trent Grisham, who has really been struggling of late.

Basically, Taylor would be a lifeline today and still have a role on the team when and if the roster is ever at full strength.

The Yankees would be wise to go after Weaver, but at the bare minimum, they need to snag Taylor from the Mets. The fit there is too perfect to ignore.

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