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Pirates Trade Prospect Stafura for Reliever Luke Weaver

8/4/2026

44 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets on August 3 2026.
Pittsburgh sent shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, the No. 9 prospect, to the Mets.
The Mets will pay $2 M of Weaver’s 2026 salary and $6 M of 2027 salary; Pittsburgh assumes $3 M and $11 M.
Weaver arrived with a 1.84 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, giving Pittsburgh a late-inning option through 2027 to improve a bullpen that posted a 4.34 ERA.

History

Historical Context

In 2015 the Red Sox reshaped their roster through cash and salary moves—trading Anthony Ranaudo, signing Alexi Ogando and acquiring Sandy León for cash—while extending John Farrell’s contract and approving a $82.5 million extension for pitcher Rick Porcello. That willingness to shift payroll set a precedent later echoed in 2026 when the Pirates assumed a portion of Luke Weaver’s salary from the Mets.

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Story summary

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets on August 3 2026.
Pittsburgh sent shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, the No. 9 prospect, to the Mets.
The Mets will pay $2 M of Weaver’s 2026 salary and $6 M of 2027 salary; Pittsburgh assumes $3 M and $11 M.
Weaver arrived with a 1.84 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, giving Pittsburgh a late-inning option through 2027 to improve a bullpen that posted a 4.34 ERA.

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