The Seattle Mariners are expected to be among the busiest teams before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, and if you ask fans what the club needs most, the answer is usually the same: add a dependable right-handed bat and strengthen the back end of the bullpen.
While Seattle’s offensive shortcomings have received most of the attention this season, the bullpen has quietly become another area of concern that could determine whether the Mariners remain in the playoff race.
The relief corps has been stretched for much of the year due to injuries. Key relievers Matt Brash, Carlos Vargas and Cooper Criswell have all spent time on the injured list, forcing manager Dan Wilson to constantly adjust late-game assignments. Combined with Seattle’s continued use of a six-man starting rotation, the Mariners have often found themselves operating with one fewer healthy bullpen arm than ideal, placing extra pressure on the available relievers.
As the trade deadline approaches, it appears the Mariners’ front office shares those concerns. Former MLB general manager Jim Duquette recently reported that Seattle is one of the clubs showing significant interest in acquiring New York Mets reliever Luke Weaver. According to Duquette, the market for Weaver is expected to be extremely competitive, with as many as 15 teams believed to have expressed interest in the veteran right-hander.
That level of league-wide interest is hardly surprising considering the season Weaver has put together and the flexibility his contract offers.
At 32 years old, Weaver has reinvented his career after spending years bouncing between organizations. The right-hander has pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and now the New York Mets during an 11-year major league career.
Earlier in his career, Weaver was primarily used as a starting pitcher. Although he occasionally worked out of the bullpen, he didn’t fully embrace a relief role until his brief stint with Seattle during the 2023 season. The Mariners appeared to recognise that his stuff could play up in shorter outings, using him in relief for four of his five appearances with the club.
After leaving Seattle, Weaver joined the Yankees, where he initially made a few more starts before transitioning permanently into relief. The move completely changed the trajectory of his career.
During the 2024 season, Weaver emerged as one of New York’s most dependable bullpen arms. He posted a 7-3 record with an impressive 2.89 ERA across 62 appearances, proving capable of handling high-pressure situations while consistently limiting opposing hitters.
He followed that performance with another productive campaign in 2025, making 64 appearances for the Yankees before entering free agency. His reliability and effectiveness earned him a two-year contract with the Mets before the 2026 season, and he has continued to justify that investment.
This year, Weaver has been one of baseball’s more effective relievers. Through 42 innings, he owns a 2-1 record with a sparkling 1.93 ERA while striking out 43 batters. His ability to generate swings and misses, combined with improved command, has made him a trusted late-inning option for New York.
Although his underlying metrics suggest some regression could occur, they still paint the picture of a highly valuable reliever. Weaver’s 2.92 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) indicates that while his ERA may benefit slightly from favourable circumstances, his overall performance remains well above average. Even if his ERA were to climb closer to his FIP, he would still represent a major upgrade for many contenders looking to reinforce their bullpen.
For Seattle, Weaver checks several important boxes.
He has extensive experience pitching in meaningful games, can handle multiple innings if necessary, and possesses the versatility to work in a variety of late-game roles. Whether serving as a setup man ahead of Andrés Muñoz or stepping into save opportunities when needed, Weaver would immediately provide stability to a bullpen that has been forced to rely heavily on a small group of healthy relievers.
His familiarity with the Mariners organisation could also work in Seattle’s favour. Although his first stint with the club lasted only five games, the Mariners were among the first teams to recognise his potential as a relief pitcher. That previous relationship could make a reunion more appealing if trade discussions intensify.
However, acquiring Weaver will not be simple.
The biggest obstacle isn’t necessarily his talent but rather the number of teams believed to be pursuing him. If Duquette’s estimate of roughly 15 interested clubs proves accurate, Seattle will face stiff competition from contenders across both leagues.
That naturally raises questions about the price.
Any potential trade package will depend heavily on how the Mets approach negotiations. If New York prioritises reducing payroll commitments, Seattle could improve its chances by agreeing to absorb the remainder of Weaver’s contract. Taking on his salary may allow the Mariners to hold onto some of their better prospects while still presenting an attractive offer.
On the other hand, financial relief may not be particularly important to the Mets.
Unlike many franchises, New York possesses one of baseball’s largest payrolls and has ownership willing to spend aggressively in pursuit of championships. If the Mets are more interested in maximising prospect value than reducing salary obligations, they may prefer to pay the remaining money themselves if it means receiving a stronger package of young talent in return.
That scenario could significantly increase the cost for Seattle.
The Mariners have spent years building one of baseball’s strongest farm systems, and their front office has generally been reluctant to part with elite prospects unless the return justifies the sacrifice. Trading multiple highly regarded young players for a reliever, even one as effective as Weaver, would require careful consideration.
Contract control also complicates the equation.
Weaver remains under contract through the 2027 season, including an £11 million salary for next year. That additional season of control certainly enhances his value because any acquiring team would receive more than just a short-term rental.
At the same time, that extra year introduces another layer of uncertainty.
Major League Baseball could face labour negotiations before the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement, and any potential work stoppage could affect the value of players under longer-term contracts. Teams evaluating Weaver will undoubtedly consider whether paying a premium for a season that could potentially be shortened or disrupted represents a worthwhile investment.
Seattle’s decision-makers must therefore weigh both the immediate benefits and the long-term implications.
The Mariners are firmly in win-now mode, with a talented rotation led by George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo providing the foundation for postseason aspirations. Yet they must also preserve enough prospect capital to address other pressing needs, particularly the lineup.
Many observers still believe adding a productive right-handed hitter should remain Seattle’s highest priority. The club has struggled at times against left-handed pitching, and another impact bat could provide much-needed protection throughout the lineup.
Because of that, the Mariners may need to balance their available trade assets carefully rather than exhausting significant prospect capital on a bullpen addition alone.
Still, championship-calibre teams are built on depth, and recent postseason history has shown just how valuable dominant relief pitching can be. One shutdown reliever can dramatically alter a manager’s strategy during close games, shorten contests and reduce the workload placed on other bullpen arms.
That’s precisely why Weaver has become one of the hottest names on the trade market.
His combination of experience, strong recent production, manageable contract and ability to thrive in high-leverage situations makes him attractive to virtually every contender seeking bullpen help.
Whether Seattle ultimately lands Weaver may depend less on its level of interest and more on how aggressively it is willing to outbid rival clubs.
If the Mariners believe Weaver could be the missing piece that strengthens their bullpen for both this season and next, they may decide the acquisition cost is justified despite the competitive market.
If not, Seattle could pivot toward one of several other relievers expected to be available before the deadline, preserving more prospect depth while still addressing its bullpen needs.
Whatever path the Mariners choose, the coming days are expected to be critical for the franchise. Seattle entered the final game of its series against the Texas Rangers with a 52-54 record, sitting 1.5 games behind Texas in the American League West standings. Every remaining game carries added importance as the race for both the division title and the American League Wild Card continues to tighten.
With George Kirby scheduled to face Kumar Rocker in the series finale, the Mariners know that every victory matters. Strengthening the roster before the trade deadline could ultimately determine whether Seattle remains a legitimate postseason contender or falls short once again.
Luke Weaver may not solve every problem facing the Mariners, but his addition would significantly improve one of the team’s most vulnerable areas. Now the question is whether Seattle can win what promises to be one of the most competitive bidding wars of this year’s trade deadline.
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