Yankees Add Rotation Depth with Ryan Weathers Trade: Fantasy Baseball Breakdown

The second big MLB trade on Tuesday was the Yankees acquiring Ryan Weathers from the Marlins for four prospects. Let's break down that deal, going over real world and fantasy baseball implications.

The Yankees sent Juan Matheus, Dylan Jasso, Brendan Jones and Dillon Lewis out in the deal.

Also be sure to check out the trade breakdown for the deal that sent Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals to the Diamondbacks.

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Weathers' Stats

Weathers is a 26-year-old left-handed pitcher. He has five years of MLB experience under his belt, and will already be joining his third team after the trade.

He has a career 4.93 earned run average over 281 innings, allowing 164 runs (154 earned) on 290 hits and 99 walks. Weathers is 12-23 over 70 games (55 starts) and has racked up 235 strikeouts.

His best seasons have come over the past two years. Weathers made just 24 starts over those seasons though.

Over those 24 starts, Weathers was 7-8 with a 3.74 ERA. In 125 innings, he allowed 59 runs (52 earned) on 115 hits and 36 walks, while striking out 117 batters.

The Yankees had a need for more pitching, and Weathers helps fill a spot in the rotation.

Outlook for Weathers and the Yankees

New York has Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Luis Gil and Weathers as healthy starting pitching options going into the season. Add in Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt and there's a good group of starters to pull from.

Cole missed the entire 2025 season after having Tommy John surgery. He's expected to return at some point in the first half of the 2026 season, but you never know how a pitcher will return from that injury, so the Yankees trading for Weathers is a way to not have to rush Cole, and also give themselves other options if Cole struggles, or gets injured again.

Rodon had left elbow surgery in October, and he's expected to miss the start of the 2026 season as a result. Being a lefty, Weathers (another lefty) is basically his replacement in the rotation. Rodon is expected back in late April or early May at this point, but adding Weathers means the Yankees can again play things safer with Rodon.

Schmidt had Tommy John surgery in July, so he's expected back in the second half of the season. Again, adding Weathers is a way for New York to ease Schmidt along.

So really, adding Weathers is insurance for the three injured pitchers. Just keep in mind that it could also push their return dates back.

At full strength, the Yankees' rotation should be a strength for the team. It was something that held New York back last season, so it was a point this offseason. 

Obviously, more injuries could pop up, but having depth is key for any team, but especially a contender like the Yankees.

What will be really interesting is to see what the Yankees do when all those eight starting pitchers are healthy. A couple guys will need to get pulled from the rotation, but usually those things work themselves out in one way or another. 

That doesn't even take into account any additional pitchers the team could add before the season, or any pitching prospects. Trading for Weathers likely holds some prospects back, unless the Yankees made another deal including a starter before the year kicks off.

As for Weathers' fantasy outlook, him joining the Yankees is a fantasy boost for him.

The chance at more wins already boosts his fantasy stock, and a better team around him just gives him a better fantasy outlook period. 

He won't be a highly-drafted fantasy asset, but he is definitely on people's radars, and will at least be a streaming asset to kick off the season. Weathers will be worth drafting/rostering in deeper fantasy setups.

We'll see exactly where he is drafted in the leadup to the season.

New Marlins' Prospects

This move for the Marlins is about adding more ammo for the future. It's the second big trade in recent memory, as they sent Edward Cabrera away earlier this month.

Weathers is a fine MLB starting pitcher, but to get a four-prospect haul feels like a win for Miami. 

Lewis is the new No. 14 prospect for the Marlins, while Jones ranks 15th. Matheus and Jasso are not ranked at this point.

Lewis has a 45 overall prospect grade, and his best tools are his power and running ability. The 22-year-old outfielder is 6-foot-3 and weighs 205 pounds. He has a 2028 ETA.

In two minor league seasons, he's played 136 games, with 122 coming in 2025. He made it to High-A at the end of the year.

So far, he has a .238 average and .320 on-base percentage. He has 123 total hits, including 25 doubles, 23 home runs and five triples. Lewis also has 82 runs scored, 85 RBIs, 58 walks, 29 stolen bases and 133 strikeouts.

He needs more minor league seasoning, but he's a decently-regarded prospect, and has a better chance to climb the ranks now in Miami. He could move that ETA up with a big showing this coming year.

Jones has a 45 overall grade as well. The 23-year-old outfielder's best tool is his running ability. He is 5-foot-10 and weighs 180 pounds.

In two minor league seasons, he's logged 148 games, with 124 coming in 2025. He's appeared in Double-A.

He has a .248 average and .377 OBP so far, along with 132 hits. He has 25 doubles, eight triples and 14 home runs, along with 105 runs scored, 88 RBIs, 111 walks, 69 stolen bases and 130 strikeouts.

Jones' ETA is 2027, and he too could improve that with a big showing in 2026, meaning he's a possible late-season call up. Again, being in the Marlins' system gives him a chance to reach the big leagues quicker, so keep an eye on him as well.

Jasso was ranked 23rd for the Yankees, but isn't ranked for the Marlins. 

The 23-year-old infielder is 6-foot-1 and weighs 208 pounds. He has played three seasons in the minor leagues.

Over 268 games, he has a .256 average and .336 OBP. Over his 254 total hits, he has 55 doubles, 25 home runs and 10 triples. Jasso has 140 runs scored, 164 RBIs, three stolen bases, 105 walks and 260 strikeouts. Strikeouts are an issue, but he has pretty solid numbers otherwise. 

Jasso has a chance to make the big leagues in the next year or so. Being able to play first, second and third base is a plus for him, and could help him get to the big leagues quicker, if he hits in Triple-A.

Matheus is a 21-year-old infielder who is 5-foot-10 and weighs just 155 pounds. He has four seasons of minor league ball under his belt.

In 233 total games, he owns a .277 average and .396 OBP. He has 55 doubles, 12 homers and seven triples among his 216 total hits, along with 136 runs scored, 133 RBIs, 78 stolen bases, 153 walks and 178 strikeouts.

He might not be a very highly-regarded prospect, but there's some intriguing stats in there for Matheus. He looks like he'll be a stolen base threat, but if he can get on base, there's fantasy value to maybe take advantage of someday.

He's probably the furthest away from the big leagues among the prospects, but that doesn't mean to write him off.

All the Marlins' newly-acquired prospects have intrigue, and are worth keeping tabs on.

Impact on the Marlins

The four prospects aren't likely to make big league impacts in 2026, but trading Weathers away will impact the MLB team.

Down Cabrera and Weathers now, the top starting options in Miami are Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett and Janson Junk.

Alcantara, Perez and Meyer are all pretty locked into starting rotation roles, and have decent fantasy outlooks, at least. Not having a good team around them is going to limit their fantasy upsides, but that doesn't mean to ignore them in fantasy.

There's some big-time pitching prospects climbing the ranks in Miami, so moving Cabrera and Weathers opens the door for the likes of Thomas White, Robby Snelling, Noble Meyer, Dax Fulton and others.

White is the team's top prospect and made it to Triple-A last season. If he doesn't make the team out of spring training, expect him to be called up at some point in 2026, probably in the first half of the year.

Snelling is in the same boat, but is the team's No. 4 prospect. Meyer is further off, but many expect him to make the big leagues at some point this coming season, so keep his name in mind, especially in dynasty or deeper redraft leagues. Fulton also made it to Triple-A last season, so he's close to being ready to impact the big league team too.

Miami has options to fill out its rotation, so losing Cabrera and Weathers just opens the door for others. It's a move to push the Marlins toward a brighter future, so we'll see if it works out for them.