Luke Weaver, the former New York Yankees relief pitcher who recently signed with the New York Mets during the offseason, ignited debate as he arrived at the Mets’ Spring Training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida, carrying a Yankees-branded bag. Weaver joined his ex-Yankees teammate Devin Williams in transitioning to the Mets this year, but the choice of his equipment bag raised eyebrows and sparked backlash from fans and commentators alike.
When Mets insider Mark Gooden inquired if the bag could be considered tampering, Weaver responded directly, saying,
“What? No. I got it when I was on the Yankees.”
Public and Fan Backlash Over Bag Choice
The sight of Weaver carrying a Yankees gear bag prompted strong reactions on social media. Fans expressed their disapproval with comments such as:
“Steve Cohen had to be fuming seeing this.”
“Burn that bag immediately,”
“Get that man a Mets bag ASAP,”
“Millionaire couldn’t buy a bag to come to training camp with?”
“Yankees bag. Mets cheaped out on a bag,”
“Is Steve Cohen too poor to get his new players Mets gear?”
The frustration from supporters reflected their expectation that a player representing a new team, especially in a prominent role, should display allegiance through official team gear. Nonetheless, Weaver remains focused on his new opportunity in Queens. He confirmed he did not receive any qualifying offers or calls from the Yankees after the 2025 season but holds no resentment toward the Bronx Bombers, expressing gratitude toward the organization for his time there.
Criticism from MLB Broadcaster Michael Kay
Michael Kay, a well-known broadcaster for the New York Yankees, criticized Weaver’s decision to bring a Yankees bag to Mets camp. Kay voiced that such behavior shows a lack of respect toward the Mets, especially considering the financial investment they made in the pitcher. According to Kay, the situation could have been easily avoided had Weaver requested Mets gear ahead of time.
“Show a little respect. I mean, the Mets deserve better than that. They paid you a lot of money. All you had to do was call up the Mets at some point during the offseason and say, ‘Listen, can you send me an equipment bag so that when I come to Port St. Lucie, I’m carrying a Met equipment bag with blue and orange rather than the Yankees midnight blue and white.”
“But he didn’t do that. It’s like players don’t think the right thing to do. It’s not right. You owe it to the Met organization, you’re a Met now, you should be carrying a Yankee bag.”
Kay acknowledged that while it is not entirely problematic to have logos from a previous team visible, players should show basic consideration for their current organizations. Weaver’s free-agent deal with the Mets, worth two years and $22 million, adds weight to Kay’s expectations that the player demonstrate his commitment visibly off the field as well.
Implications for Weaver’s Role with the Mets
This incident, whether intentional or accidental, has stirred considerable controversy and put Weaver under scrutiny as he embarks on his Mets tenure. The public and media reaction highlights the high expectations placed on athletes not only to perform but to align visibly with their team’s identity and culture. How Weaver addresses this perception going forward could influence his rapport with Mets fans and teammates.
With the Spring Training season unfolding, attention will remain on Weaver’s performance and whether the equipment bag situation affects his integration into the Mets’ clubhouse. This episode underscores the symbolic importance of team representation in professional sports beyond the game itself.
I asked Mets RP Luke Weaver where he got the Yankees bag from.
He said, "The Yankees."
I asked if he thinks that qualifies as tampering to accept swag from a team he is not on.
He said "what? No. I got it when I was on the Yankees." https://t.co/30dMfRhtkX
— Mark Gooden (@TooGooden17) February 9, 2026
