The New York Yankees have made a significant move to bolster their pitching staff, acquiring left-handed starter Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins in a trade announced on January 13, 2026. In exchange, the Yankees sent a package of four prospects—outfielders Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones, and infielders Dylan Jasso and Juan Matheus—to Miami. This deal comes as the Yankees face a challenging start to the 2026 season, with several veteran arms expected to begin the year on the injured list.
Ryan Weathers, just 26 years old, brings both pedigree and promise to the Bronx. He is the son of David Weathers, a reliever who pitched for the Yankees during their 1996 World Series championship run. As team insider Jack Curry noted, “David Weathers pitched for the 1996 Yankees during a 19-year major league career. Now Ryan, his son, joins him in pinstripes.” The family connection adds a nostalgic twist to a move that is, at its core, about fortifying the Yankees’ rotation in the face of adversity.
Weathers’ journey to New York has been marked by both flashes of brilliance and bouts of adversity. The Marlins originally acquired him from the San Diego Padres at the 2023 MLB trade deadline, sending Garrett Cooper and Sean Reynolds the other way. Weathers pitched only 13 innings for Miami in 2023 but made enough of an impression to be included on the National League Wild Card Series roster.
The 2024 season saw Weathers step into a more prominent role. He made 16 starts, logging 86⅓ innings with a 3.63 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 8.31 K/9, and a career-low 2.49 BB/9. Despite a 5-6 record, the numbers reflected a pitcher who could keep hitters off balance and limit damage. His performance was backed up by a 1.18 WHIP and a 3.3 K/BB ratio, suggesting improved command and poise on the mound.
However, injuries would become a recurring theme in Weathers’ tenure with the Marlins. In 2025, he was sidelined multiple times, suffering a left index finger strain, a left flexor muscle strain, and a left lat strain. These ailments limited him to just eight starts and 38⅓ innings, where he still managed a respectable 3.99 ERA, 4.60 FIP, 8.69 K/9, and 2.82 BB/9. Notably, his fastball velocity climbed to an average of 96.9 mph—the highest of his career, and a tantalizing sign for Yankees fans hoping for a breakout.
Weathers and the Marlins agreed to a $1.35 million salary for 2026 to avoid arbitration, a mark that now transfers to the Yankees, who will have club control over the lefty through 2028. The Yankees are expected to rely heavily on Weathers early in the season, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt all projected to start the year on the injured list. Manager Aaron Boone will be looking for Weathers to provide stability and perhaps even some upside as the team navigates a tricky opening stretch.
“At the end of the day, this was a low-price and potentially high-reward type of deal,” wrote Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. The Yankees had previously explored trades for other pitchers, including Edward Cabrera (who landed with the Cubs), Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, and Nationals lefty Mackenzie Gore. Ultimately, Weathers represented a more affordable option—one who still offers considerable upside and flexibility, especially with one minor league option remaining on his contract.
Weathers’ role in New York isn’t set in stone. With experience as both a starter and reliever, he could be used in a variety of ways once the Yankees’ rotation gets healthy. For now, he’s expected to compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation alongside Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren, with Ryan Yarbrough available as a swingman. The Yankees’ rotation depth will be tested early, and Weathers’ ability to handle both starting and relief duties may prove invaluable.
On the other side of the deal, the Marlins continue to reshape their roster with an eye toward the future. Outfielder Dillon Lewis headlines the return package, ranked as the Yankees’ eighth-best prospect by Baseball America and 16th by MLB Pipeline. In 2025, Lewis played across Low-A and High-A, posting a .237/.321/.445 slash line with 22 home runs, 79 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and a 121 wRC+. His power-speed combination is rare, as he was one of just 12 minor leaguers to notch at least 20 doubles, 20 home runs, and 20 stolen bases last season. Defensively, Lewis profiles as the Yankees’ best outfield prospect, with the majority of his games in center field but experience at both corners.
Brendan Jones, 23, also moves to Miami after a 2025 campaign split between High-A and Double-A. Jones hit .245/.359/.395 with 11 home runs, 69 RBI, and a whopping 51 stolen bases, earning a 126 wRC+. While he’s likely to land in a corner outfield spot due to a below-average arm, his speed and on-base skills fit the Marlins’ recent emphasis on athleticism. Jones is expected to start the 2026 season in Triple-A Jacksonville.
Dylan Jasso, another 23-year-old prospect, made his mark as a power-hitting corner infielder in Double-A last year. Jasso slashed .257/.326/.400 with 13 home runs and 76 RBI, showing above-average exit velocities and the ability to handle both first and third base. He’s also likely to begin 2026 in Triple-A Jacksonville, giving the Marlins additional depth and flexibility on the infield corners.
The youngest player in the deal, 21-year-old Juan Matheus, spent 2025 between Low-A and High-A, slashing .275/.365/.376 with three home runs, 56 RBI, and 40 stolen bases. Primarily a third baseman with some shortstop experience, Matheus is ticketed for High-A Beloit, where his speed and contact skills will be closely monitored by Marlins development staff.
For the Marlins, the trade opens up a spot on their 40-man roster and further clarifies their 2026 pitching rotation. The one-two punch of Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez remains, but the rest of the rotation is up for grabs. Candidates include Max Meyer, Janson Junk (the most effective of last year’s group), Adam Mazur, Ryan Gusto, and Braxton Garrett. Top prospects Robby Snelling and Thomas White are also in the mix. Snelling, who posted a 2.51 ERA with 10.99 K/9 across AA and AAA in 2025, could seize a rotation spot with a strong spring. White, rated by MLB Pipeline as the best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball, dazzled with a 2.31 ERA and 14.55 K/9 in 89⅔ innings, though he’ll need to refine his command before making a big-league impact.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ front office is reportedly not done dealing. As The Athletic reported, “Don’t expect acquiring Weathers to halt the Yankees’ search for a higher-level starting pitcher.” New York continues to be linked to big names like Freddy Peralta of the Brewers, who went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 2025, and Minnesota’s Joe Ryan, who posted a 13-10 record and 3.42 ERA. The rumor mill is likely to churn as the Yankees look for ways to stay competitive in the ever-tough AL East.
With spring training just around the corner, both clubs have positioned themselves for intriguing storylines. The Yankees get a young, controllable arm with upside and a legacy connection, while the Marlins add a quartet of promising prospects to their rebuilding effort. As the dust settles on this trade, all eyes will be on Weathers to see if he can make his mark in pinstripes—and on the Marlins’ new arrivals as they chase their big-league dreams.
