The Yankees traded for closer bringing an end to All-Star left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes’ stint in New York. The left-handed starter was traded for minor league second baseman Caleb Durbin and cash in a two-for-one deal. The Yankees were thought to be working on a deal after losing free agent phenom Juan Soto to the New York Mets. The big transaction sent shockwaves across the MLB.
Former Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield shared the following on his X, formerly Twitter.
“Holy Bullpen…” Luke Weaver at closer; lights out, Devin Williams? Sheffield added, “If you’re a Yankees fan, you should be rock hard right now FEED ME KYLE TUCKER.”
Meanwhile, some Yankees supporters shared their thoughts on the deal.
“Since 2021, Devin Williams has been one of the BEST relievers in MLB and has established himself as an ELITE closer,” another fan wrote before showing Williams’ statistics.
Another fan saw an improvement in the Yankees’ bullpen.
“WE WENT FROM CLAY HOLMES TO DEVIN WILLIAMS,” he stated in an email.
Yankees acquire star closer Devin Williams
The New York Yankees improved their bullpen by dealing for closer Devin Williams. The 2020 National League Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star has a 1.83 ERA and 1.023 WHIP in 241 career bullpen appearances. Williams threw only 22 games for the Milwaukee Brewers last season due to a stress fracture in his back.
He earned $7.25 million in 2024 and is eligible for arbitration this winter. Williams can become a free agent next year, but after the Yankees lost Juan Soto to free agency following their World Series defeat to the Dodgers, it’s a step in the right direction.
Since Soto’s signing with the Mets, the Yankees have signed starting pitcher Max Fried and free agent first baseman Christian Walker, and they may be about to make another move shortly.
Williams ended the 2024 MLB season with a 1.89 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 68 saves, and 308 strikeouts.
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