Headlines

  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Astros To Promote Brice Matthews
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

D-Backs, Royals To Swap Luke Weaver For Emmanuel Rivera

By Anthony Franco and Darragh McDonald | August 1, 2022 at 7:40pm CDT

The Royals and Diamondbacks are nearing agreement on a deal that’ll send right-hander Luke Weaver to Kansas City for infielder Emmanuel Rivera, reports John Gambadoro of 98.7FM radio in Phoenix (Twitter link).

Weaver was once a high-profile acquisition of the Diamondbacks, coming over as part of the package they received for sending superstar Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals. After the first 12 starts he made for Arizona, it seemed like they had a rotation stalwart on their hands. Weaver put up a 2.94 ERA in 2019 with a 40.7% ground ball rate, 26.5% strikeout rate and 5.4% walk rate. Unfortunately, a forearm strain ended his season early and he hasn’t been quite the same since.

Weaver was healthy for the shortened 2020 campaign, making 12 starts and throwing 52 innings but putting up an ERA of 6.58 in that time. He was better in 2021, getting his ERA down to 4.25, but was limited to just 13 starts by a shoulder injury. Coming into this season, the D-Backs moved him to the bullpen, which has led to results both encouraging and discouraging. His 7.71 ERA is certainly unappealing, though there are reasons to believe that isn’t a true reflection of his work. His 24.1% strikeout rate and 6.2% walk rate are both better than league average, and he’s also allowing just 7.7% of his fly balls to leave the yard. What seems to be hurting his ERA is an unsustainable .434 batting average on balls in play and a 55.9% strand rate.

Still, this is a sample of just 16 1/3 innings after multiple seasons of disappointing results. The Royals won’t have a ton of time to get Weaver back on track, as he is set to reach free agency after the 2023 campaign. He’s making a salary of $2.875MM this year and is eligible for another pass through arbitration next year.

In exchange for Weaver, the Diamondbacks are getting Rivera, 26, a corner infielder who hasn’t hit much in the majors but has shown plenty of promise in the minors. Since making his MLB debut last year, he’s gotten into 92 games and hit .243/.294/.378 for a wRC+ of 87. However, in 63 Triple-A games last year, he hit .286/.348/.592 for a wRC+ of 144. In 20 games there this year, his line is .307/.388/.520, 142 wRC+.

Rivera is primarily a third baseman and would likely slot behind Josh Rojas on Arizona’s depth chart, though Rojas is capable of moving to other spots on the field if they really want to give Rivera a shot. Rivera’s also played some first base and could perhaps see some time there if the D-Backs pull the trigger on a Christian Walker trade, as they have reportedly considered. However he’s deployed, Rivera comes with an extended window of control, having come into this season with less than a year of MLB service time. He also can be optioned for the remainder of this year as well as another season, potentially delaying his free agency and arbitration.

For the Royals, they likely felt Rivera was squeezed out due to their crowded corner infield mix, with Nicky Lopez getting a lot of playing time at third, while Vinnie Pasquantino, Nick Pratto and Hunter Dozier are also around for first base or corner outfield duty. The designated hitter slot is also a little busy between that group and the catching duo of Salvador Perez and MJ Melendez. They’ve used that surplus of corner infield bats to add an intriguing arm, while the Diamondbacks have taken a pitcher they couldn’t get good results out of and turned him into a controllable infield depth option.

Share 0 Retweet 3 Send via email0

Arizona Diamondbacks Kansas City Royals Newsstand Transactions Emmanuel Rivera Luke Weaver

Astros Acquire Christian Vazquez From Red Sox
Main
Diamondbacks Select Kevin Ginkel
View Comments (30)
Post a Comment

30 Comments

  1. cardsfanboy

    3 years ago

    Ok!!!!!!

    Reply
  2. The Baseball Fan

    3 years ago

    Weird.

    5
    Reply
    • GabrielJames

      3 years ago

      Royals are right up there with the Rockies in terms of operating completely differently from conventional front offices. Doesn’t seem to be working out for either team, haha.

      3
      Reply
    • Jacobpaul81

      3 years ago

      Yea, odd. I mean, I get why they would trade Rivera. He was about to be relegated to being a AAA back-up as Garcia is taking over SS moving Witt Jr. back to 3rd.

      But Luke Weaver is a curious return. I was high on Weaver a few years ago – but not much to be high on about him these days. Maybe they were working off a 2015 scouting report. 🙂

      Reply
  3. RonDarlingShouldntBeInTheHallOfFame

    3 years ago

    Lol! What the hell are the Royals doing? Weaver is atrocious!

    4
    Reply
    • mgomrjsurf

      3 years ago

      A replacement if Keller/Barlow are moved.

      2
      Reply
  4. stuffnya

    3 years ago

    MM loves him some weaver!

    1
    Reply
  5. DonOsbourne

    3 years ago

    Damn it! If nothing else we could have taken a flyer. Come on Mo! You’re getting lapped.

    2
    Reply
  6. TheRealMilo

    3 years ago

    Sad day for Emmanuel Rivera. Not because he’s changing teams but because someone thought his value was equal to Luke Weaver.

    12
    Reply
  7. sotaguchi

    3 years ago

    In other news, my neighbor’s dog had puppies today.

    3
    Reply
    • EonADS

      3 years ago

      You jest, but that is important news. Who doesn’t love puppies? Unless you’re allergic, I guess.

      3
      Reply
    • kcmark

      3 years ago

      PTBNL + Puppies to be named later?

      5
      Reply
    • Bart Harley Jarvis

      3 years ago

      Congratulations, wonderful news! Have they named them yet?

      Reply
  8. futuregm12

    3 years ago

    Why can’t I ever get Royals news that doesn’t make me want to bash my head into something?

    5
    Reply
  9. jim stem

    3 years ago

    Why?

    Reply
  10. allweatherfan

    3 years ago

    Royals are like the Rockies-do things a bit different than others.

    1
    Reply
  11. royalsfanen

    3 years ago

    Oh… neat.

    Reply
  12. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    If KC can get Weaver healthy than this is a great deal for them.

    2
    Reply
    • Questionable_Source

      3 years ago

      I had heard they signed Ra’s al Ghul earlier, so maybe he’ll let Weaver use his Lazarus pit.

      Reply
  13. Screamer

    3 years ago

    Maybe Royals think they can make Weaver a starter again? If they wanted to trade Rivera, they couldn’t do any better?

    Reply
  14. Kevin28786

    3 years ago

    The headlines are very strangely worded

    Reply
  15. sufferforsnakes

    3 years ago

    Too bad it wasn’t Melancon. Wish some team would take him. Would rather have Weaver than him.

    1
    Reply
  16. hiflew

    3 years ago

    Good buy-low option for KC. Get Weaver out of the Western altitude and see if that gigantic stadium IN KC will revive him.

    2
    Reply
  17. DogDays2

    3 years ago

    I’m really surprised the Royals make that trade with the criminal concerns surrounding Weaver.

    Not that I know of anything, but he went to FSU so I figured it’s just a matter of time…

    1
    Reply
  18. BuJoBi

    3 years ago

    Strange trade

    Reply
  19. TLB2001

    3 years ago

    Wasn’t Weaver the guy accused of bullying the rookies when Matheny was with the cardinals?

    Not losing any sleep over Rivera, seems like a decent buy low/rebound candidate provided there aren’t intangible issues.

    Reply
  20. SupremeZeus

    3 years ago

    That Goldy trade hasn’t worked out for the snakes.

    1
    Reply
  21. solaris602

    3 years ago

    The change in altitude may benefit Weaver, but so far he seems to be following Shelby Miller’s career track. Good luck in KC – you’re gonna need it.

    Reply
  22. Ski to Coors

    3 years ago

    Can’t win the 4D chess tournament without making any moves.

    Reply
  23. pete s

    3 years ago

    Wow. AZ gets a guy fresh off a 13 game hit steak, .316 in July, constantly making really tough plays at 3b. Gives up a pitcher who hasn’t been good in 3 years.
    Nice job KC.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Recent

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Poll: Which Teams Should Make The Biggest Push For Jarren Duran?

    MLB Finalizes Home Run Derby Field

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Giants Outright Sergio Alcántara

    Joe Coleman Passes Away

    Dodgers Outright CJ Alexander

    Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

    Clarke Schmidt To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Atlanta Braves

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version