Yankees and Mets Acquire Upside Pitchers in Offseason Trades

Ryan Weathers and Tobias Myers join the New York teams as 'Interesting Lumps of Clay' with potential to be molded into something special.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The New York Yankees and New York Mets both made offseason trades to acquire young pitchers with upside potential but inconsistent track records. Ryan Weathers joined the Yankees and Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers joined the Mets, as the teams looked to deepen and upgrade their starting rotations through trades rather than free agency.

Why it matters

The trades for Weathers, Peralta, and Myers represent a strategy shift by the Yankees and Mets to target 'Interesting Lumps of Clay' - pitchers with hints of greater upside who the teams believe they can develop and shape into consistent, high-performing starters over the next few years of club control.

The details

Both the Yankees and Mets wanted to improve their starting rotations this offseason, but found the free-agent market unappealing due to factors like cost, age, and injury history. Instead, they turned to the trade market, where they were able to acquire young pitchers with potential upside. The Yankees brought in Ryan Weathers, while the Mets added Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers. These pitchers are considered 'Interesting Lumps of Clay' - they have shown flashes of greatness but lack the consistency that the teams believe they can help the pitchers develop over the next few seasons of club control.

  • The trades were made during the 2026 MLB offseason.

The players

Ryan Weathers

A young pitcher acquired by the New York Yankees in a trade this offseason, seen as having significant upside potential that the team hopes to help him unlock.

Freddy Peralta

An established starting pitcher acquired by the New York Mets in a trade this offseason, not considered part of the 'Interesting Lumps of Clay' group.

Tobias Myers

A young pitcher acquired by the New York Mets in a trade this offseason, seen as having significant upside potential that the team hopes to help him develop.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Teams did not love the free-agent group because of cost, age, injury history and/or other reasons. Thus, the trade market was active for starters.”

— Joel Sherman, Author (nypost.com)

The takeaway

The Yankees and Mets' offseason trades for young, high-upside pitchers like Ryan Weathers and Tobias Myers represent a strategic shift by the New York teams to target and develop 'Interesting Lumps of Clay' - pitchers with potential who the teams believe they can mold into consistent, high-performing starters over the next few seasons.