Report: Pirates working on Luke Weaver deal

Montgomery ended up with a one-out save last night, though only after Kirby Yates created the save situation by giving up a run and three hits in the ninth. It sounds like Kelly favors Montgomery right now, but it’s been really hard to tell with the Pirates struggling. Weaver has pitched just twice in the 12 days since he was acquired: once with the Pirates down four in the ninth and last night with the team up by five in the eighth. Montgomery hasn’t pitched much either. Last night’s save was his fourth of the year and first since the day Weaver was acquired on Aug. 3.

Montgomery got the call to guard a one-run advantage after Camilo Doval tossed a scoreless eighth inning. He managed to work around a one-out single from Joey Ortiz by striking out Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio to extinguish the threat. He’s likely going to take a back seat to newly acquired high-leverage veteran Luke Weaver, but could wind up vulturing the occasional save chance against lefty-heavy lineups.

The deal is now official. It’s a phenomenal landing spot for Weaver’s immediate fantasy value as he figures to take over as Pittsburgh’s primary stopper with Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery lurking as potential vultures. The 32-year-old former closer was outstanding in his Mets debut this season with a sparkling 1.84 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 45/11 K/BB ratio across 44 innings of work. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, the Mets are eating roughly $15.5 million left on Weaver’s contract through next season, presumably in order to get Stafura in the deal.

Stafura came over to the Pirates for defensive wizard Ke’Bryan Hayes last trade deadline and finds himself shipped to New York where he projects as a versatile role player down the line. The 21-year-old prospects has seen his stock rise considerably this season, hitting .276/.367/.593 with 20 homers and 20 steals in the lower minors.

As Sammon reports, “there is high interest around the league in Weaver, who is owed $2.4 million after August 3rd with another $11 million due in 2027.” The 32-year-old has a 1.88 ERA in 41 appearances for the Mets and could be a potential closer option for the Pirates if he were to wind up in Pittsburgh. He would likely be part of a late-inning committee in Milwaukee, which would not be as enticing for his fantasy value. Regardless, Weaver is a decent stash right now in fantasy leagues on the chance that he emerges as a closer by next week.

Working with a two-run lead, Weaver gave up an RBI double to Michael Harris II with one out. He then struck out Ozzie Albies, intentionally walked Matt Olson, walked Jorge Mateo to load the bases and got Mauricio Dubón to ground out to end it. With the Mets currently 15 games under .500, Weaver has already been a popular name on the rumor mill. The save was his first of the year, but he has a 1.89 ERA in spite of a shaky April.

The victory snapped the Mets’ 12-game losing streak. Weaver allowed two baserunners and needed 30 pitches to get through the outing. Devin Williams was passed over for the save after being used twice in the past three days. This was Weaver’s first multi-strikeout appearance of the year.

Williams played a starring role during New York’s 12th consecutive loss on Tuesday night when he failed to record an out during an ugly meltdown against the Twins where he walked three batters and was charged with a pair of runs. The 31-year-old has struggled mightily in his Mets debut, compiling a bloated 9.95 ERA and 11/6 K/BB ratio across 6 1/3 innings over eight appearances. The hedge here for fantasy managers is to pick up Luke Weaver, who has plenty of closing experience, on the chance that he gets a look in the next save chance for the Mets.

Devin Williams was used in a tie game in the ninth and also pitched a scoreless frame. Weaver has opened his Mets career with five scoreless innings in five appearances. He looks one of the NL’s better bets when it comes to holds.

With the transaction official, Weaver goes into the 40-man spot opened up by the Jeff McNeil trade. The 32-year-old figures to pitch in front of Devin Williams with the Mets, just as he did with the Yankees at the beginning of last season. Primarily a starter previously, he had a 3.21 ERA, 12 saves, 43 holds and a 175/46 K/BB over 148 2/3 innings in his two years in the Bronx.