New layer of Pirates-Mets Luke Weaver trade makes Ben Cherington look even better

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ acquisition of Luke Weaver already looked like a significant trade deadline victory for Ben Cherington. The financial details make it even better.

Pittsburgh acquired Weaver from the Mets for shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, but the Pirates will not be responsible for the entirety of the reliever’s remaining contract. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, New York is sending $8 million to Pittsburgh as part of the deal, covering $2 million this season and another $6 million in 2027.

Weaver has approximately $13.4 million remaining on his contract, including an $11 million salary next season. The Mets covering the majority of that commitment means Pittsburgh is adding a controllable bullpen weapon at a heavily discounted price while preserving financial flexibility for additional moves.

That makes the price of Stafura much easier to accept. The young shortstop had boosted his prospect stock considerably, and surrendering an ascending player always carries risk. But prospects are ultimately assets meant to help the major-league team, whether by reaching Pittsburgh themselves or being used to acquire established talent. Weaver gives the Pirates immediate late-inning stability and remains under contract beyond the current playoff push.

Cherington also deserves credit for convincing a big-market club to subsidize the deal. The Mets were reportedly reluctant to include significant cash in deadline trades, yet Pittsburgh found a way to receive $8 million anyway. That is the kind of negotiation the Pirates must win if they are going to compete while operating with one of baseball’s smallest payrolls.

Luke Weaver trade gives Ben Cherington financial flexibility to continue upgrading Pirates roster

Of course, trading for Weaver (at a significant discount) still doesn't guarantee a postseason berth. Pittsburgh still entered the deadline outside the playoff field, and Weaver alone can't fix every weakness on the roster. The Pirates should continue pursuing meaningful upgrades rather than treating one aggressive trade as sufficient.

Still, this represents real progress. For years, Pirates fans have heard about future flexibility, prospect depth and the need to avoid sacrificing long-term value. This time, Cherington used that prospect capital to improve the major-league roster without absorbing an uncomfortable financial burden.

Even if the Pirates fall short of ending their decade-long postseason drought, reaching .500 for the first time since 2018 would represent an important step forward. Weaver gives them a better chance to accomplish both.

The trade was already a win. Getting the Mets to pay most of Weaver’s remaining salary turns it into one of Cherington’s sharpest moves yet.

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