It’s the moment Mets fans dreaded to see happen.
After being traded to the Pirates as part of the Mets sell-off on Monday, veteran reliever Luke Weaver posted a heartfelt goodbye to the team on Instagram.
“Thank you to the New York Mets, my teammates, staff, and fans! Forever grateful for the memories and relationships I gained here in such a short amount of time. Thank you all for embracing my family and I with open arms! All the best,” Weaver posted.
Weaver was one of four relievers the Mets traded before the deadline, and the team got back Pirates No. 9 prospect and die-hard Mets fan Sammy Stafura in the deal.
Although he was with the Mets for just half a season, Weaver shined with a 1.84 ERA in 42 appearances.
The 32-year-old struck out 45 batters and walked only 11 in 44 innings while allowing just nine earned runs.
Weaver was especially dominant from April 30-Aug. 2, allowing just one earned run in that stretch before being traded.
While it’s not a surprising trade, it’s notable because Weaver was still under contract for next season after signing a two-year, $22 million contract last offseason.
According to The Post’s Joel Sherman, the Mets are taking on $2 million of Weaver’s contract this season and $6 million next year.
In addition to losing Weaver, the Mets also traded relievers Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter and Huascar Brazoban, leaving multiple holes in the bullpen entering 2027.
The Mets trading Weaver was largely due to how their season has gone so far, as they entered Monday 47-66 and last in the NL East.
Before joining the Mets, Weaver spent time with the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Royals, Reds, Mariners and Yankees.
Despite being in MLB since 2016, Weaver’s 1.84 ERA this season has been his best by more than a run.
