DeLand native dealt for former Daytona Tortuga at MLB trade deadline

The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets executed an MLB trade deadline swap of familiar faces.

Relief pitcher Luke Weaver, a DeLand native, went to Pittsburgh in exchange for former Daytona Tortugas infielder Sammy Stafura on Aug. 3, according to multiple reports.

Weaver will fill a need at the backend of the Pirates’ bullpen. He is in the first season of a two-year, $22 million contract. In 42 games and 44 innings with the Mets, the 32-year-old right-hander maintained a 1.84 earned run average and struck out 45 batters.

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Weaver did not allow a run in May or June.

Now in his 11th year in the big leagues, he joins his eighth organization. He revitalized his career by transitioning from the starting rotation to the bullpen with the New York Yankees in 2024.

Stafura, 21, ranked as Pittsburgh’s ninth-best prospect, per MLB Pipeline. In 60 games this season, mainly for High-A Greensboro, he hit .276 with 20 home runs, 54 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

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He suited up for 167 contests with the Tortugas in 2024 and 2025. Stafura was also dealt — from the Cincinnati Reds to Pittsburgh — at last year’s trade deadline.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLand native dealt for former Daytona Tortuga at MLB trade deadline