Ryan Weathers understood the weight of the phone call immediately. Becoming a New York Yankee carries deep historical meaning. For him, it also holds powerful personal significance. The Miami Marlins' decision to trade him started a journey remarkably similar to his father's experience. It turned an ordinary day into something far bigger than baseball.
The Unexpected Call That Changed Everything
The timing made the moment even more intense. Weathers was still focused on rebuilding his body after another season disrupted by injuries. Suddenly, he found himself taking calls from Yankees management. He had to process that his name was now connected to one of the sport's most demanding stages. This move weaves together past and present, but it also raises important questions about his future.
"Pure Shock" at the Yankees Opportunity
Ryan Weathers admits the New York Yankees were not on his radar at all. He shared a detailed timeline with reporters. "I had just finished my bullpen session," Weathers explained. "I returned to the house where I have a small travel sauna. I literally sat on my couch for about two seconds before my phone rang. It was Peter Bendix telling me I had been traded."
That call initiated his move to the Yankees, a team he confessed he never seriously imagined playing for. After receiving the news, Weathers spoke with Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone. "I talked to Cashman, talked to Boonie," he said. "It was just pure shock."
He elaborated further on his disbelief. "I just couldn't believe that the New York Yankees were a team I could ever have a chance to play for," Weathers told reporters. The trade completely surprised him. His focus had been entirely on recovery and preparation following a difficult 2025 season filled with injuries.
A Father-Son Legacy with the Yankees
The trade carries extra meaning because of Weathers' family connection to the Yankees. His father, David Weathers, was a pitcher who joined the Yankees via a trade with the Florida Marlins at the 1996 deadline. He contributed to their World Series championship that same year.
Ryan Weathers highlighted the parallels. He spoke to reporters in New York on January 15, 2026. "We've had weird, similar paths to New York," he noted. "Both of us were with the Marlins before going to the Yankees."
David Weathers Remembers His Own Trade Moment
David Weathers recalled his trade experience vividly. He shared with reporters that he was in the Dodger Stadium bullpen when Marlins manager Rene Lachemann called him on the bullpen phone. He then spoke to general manager Dave Dombrowski.
He told reporters that teammates like Kevin Brown, Al Leiter, John Burkett, and Robb Nen wished him well. "Hey man, good luck. You're going to win a World Series ring," they said. That prediction turned out to be accurate.
David Weathers learned about his son's trade while watching a basketball game. He was at Loretto High School in Loretto, Tennessee, where he also coaches baseball. A friend approached him and said, "I think Ryan's been traded to the Yankees." David responded, "Well, if he has, I hadn't heard anything about it." Shortly after, his phone buzzed with a call from Ryan.
When Ryan makes his Yankees debut, they will become the fifth father-son duo to play for the franchise. They join names like Yogi and Dale Berra, Clay and Cody Bellinger, Mark Leiter and Mark Leiter Jr., and Ron Davis and Ike Davis.
David Weathers also shared his perspective on watching his son pitch. "It's way tougher being a dad and watching your son pitch than being a pitcher," he told reporters. "When he pitches, man, it is just like all day, I'm pitching. I'm thinking about what I would do, how I would attack these guys."
Overcoming Injury and Planning Adjustments
Ryan Weathers missed most of the 2025 season due to a strained left flexor. He made his debut on May 14, but then a left lat strain sidelined him from June 7 to September 11. His career high for innings pitched is 94⅔, achieved in 2021. He has not reached 100 innings in any single season.
To address this, he concentrated heavily on recovery. "This is the best I've probably felt in a year-and-a-half," Weathers told reporters. "I really did a deep dive. I worked with a company on figuring out how to lengthen my lat out, lengthen my back out. We adjusted a lot of my lifting patterns. We adjusted my mobility and my prep work. I think my arm is reaping the benefits right now."
He plans to make specific adjustments with Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake. "We're going to get into it more in the coming days," Weathers stated. "It's probably more of a usage adjustment, especially against left-handed batters." He added, "I don't feel like I'm utilizing my two-seamer as much. It could open up the zone a little bit for my four-seamer and my sweeper."
Marlins Acquire Yankees Prospects in Return
In exchange for Weathers, the Marlins acquired four prospects ranked in the Yankees' top 30 by MLB Pipeline. The players are outfielder Brendan Jones (No. 15), outfielder Dillon Lewis (No. 16), infielder Dylan Jasso (No. 23), and infielder Juan Matheus.
Lewis, a 22-year-old who was a 13th-round pick in the 2024 draft, posted a batting line of .237/.321/.445 at Class A in 2025. He hit 22 home runs and stole 26 bases, making him a significant target for the Marlins in earlier discussions. The Marlins focused on acquiring position players in this trade, which aligns with their broader rebuilding strategy.
