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The weather ended up changing.
During December’s Winter Meetings, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough named Ryan Weathers as his pick for a “breakout” 2026 season — one month before the left-hander was traded to the Yankees on Tuesday night.
“More breakout for me is Ryan Weathers,” McCullough told reporters, per FishOnFirst. “Ryan, for me, it’s the talent. Unfortunately, last year, he had an interrupted season with some injuries, like he’s had the last couple of years.
“Top-shelf stuff from the left side. He’s incredibly motivated, highly competitive. I’m excited for Ryan. I’m predicting Ryan to have a big year.”
The Yankees will hope McCullough’s assessment was correct after acquiring the 26-year-old flamethrower Tuesday in exchange for prospects Dillon Lewis. Brendan Jones, Dylan Jasso and Juan Matheus.
Weathers, the son of former Yankees and Mets reliever David Weathers, has consistently flashed tantalizing stuff while battling a rash of injuries.
He landed on the 60-day injured list in 2024 because of a left index finger strain, and made just eight starts last season while battling left forearm and lat strains.
A 20-year-old Weathers made his MLB debut with the Padres during the 2020 postseason, becoming the second pitcher in history whose first major league appearance came in the playoffs.
When healthy, Weathers boasts an elite fastball with his heater averaging 96.9 mph last season, according to Baseball Savant.
In 24 starts for Miami the last two seasons, the seventh overall pick from the 2018 draft posted a 3.74 ERA with 117 strikeouts across 125 frames.
In the wake of the Marlins trading Edward Cabrera to the Cubs, a healthy Weathers figured to slot behind 2022 National League Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, whose name has also been floated in trade rumors.
Instead, Weathers joins a Yankees staff that will be without Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt to begin 2026.
He will look to break camp as part of a rotation that includes All-Star Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.
