Yankees Cut Ties With Ex-Red Sox Hurler Despite Strong Two-Year Stint

The New York Yankees reportedly are cutting ties with a slew of players as free agency kicks off, including one former Boston Red Sox pitcher.

The Yankees are kicking off their offseason with a bang, including a few surprise cuts. Domingo German is the most notable but there were some other serviceable players as well. One of which has ties to Boston.

The Yankees have outrighted right-hander Ryan Weber according to The New York Post's Joel Sherman. The 33-year-old can be claimed by other teams or elect free agency, likely the latter.

Weber had a successful two-year stint in New York, which makes the cut somewhat unexpected. He posted a 2.16 ERA with a 10-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .247 batting average against and 1.00 WHIP in 25 innings for the Yankees between 2022-23. 

While his production was impressive in a limited sample size, it's not hard to figure out why New York is going in a different direction. Over the same span, Weber had a 4.31 FIP due to his lack of an electric repertoire. 

Weber features a sinker that averaged 88.2 mph last season, which is in the second percentile of velocity. His slider was hit at a .500 clip and his changeup .300 -- though the latter had a 35.3% whiff rate in 2023.

The crafty righty deserves a shot to be a depth option for a Major League Baseball team but the Yankees are in a mode of starting fresh. 

Boston likely would not be a logical destination for Weber, as Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow's entire pitching philosophy begins with high velocity and spin rate. Weber is far from the ideal fit.

New York reportedly also cut ties with a former Red Sox outfielder on Thursday.