The New York Yankees have made a significant move by acquiring reliever Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers. The trade, which was announced on Friday, sees pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr., infield prospect Caleb Durbin, and some cash heading to Milwaukee in exchange for Williams.
Williams, a 30-year-old two-time NL All-Star and the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, had a strong season with the Brewers, recording 14 saves in 22 appearances despite missing the first three months due to a back injury. In the postseason, Williams made two appearances against the New York Mets, including giving up a crucial home run to Pete Alonso.
Despite the Brewers declining Williams’ option for the 2025 season, the Yankees see him as a valuable addition to their bullpen, especially with the return of Jonathan Loáisiga from Tommy John surgery. The question now is whether Williams or Luke Weaver will be the team’s closer in 2025.
Cortes, on the other hand, has been a reliable starter for the Yankees and made 84 starts over the past four seasons. With the addition of Max Fried to the rotation, it was clear that a move needed to be made.
The trade for Williams is seen as a strong follow-up to the signing of Max Fried, as the Yankees aim to strengthen their pitching staff. While there is still work to be done in other areas, the focus on pitching shows the team’s commitment to success.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee has shown a willingness to trade key players before the end of their contracts, as seen with the trades of Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes. The Brewers have a history of developing high-leverage relief arms, and Trevor Megill could be the next great closer for the team.
Overall, the trade benefits both teams, with the Brewers reallocated resources to their rotation while the Yankees strengthen their bullpen. With Cortes potentially serving as a short-term solution for Milwaukee, both teams are positioning themselves for success in the upcoming season. Read more. — Shusterman