The Yankeesapulled off a blockbuster trade to solidify their bullpen, acquiring elite closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in a deal that left the Dodgers stunned. While Los Angeles had been linked to Williams in the weeks leading up to the trade, the Yankees swooped in at the last moment, sending left-hander Nestor Cortes and promising second-base prospect Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee in exchange for the dominant reliever.
Williams himself admitted he was caught off guard by the move. “I kind of thought I’d be going to LA,” Williams said after the trade. “That’s what I was being told. The Yankees snuck in there under the table and got the deal done.”
A Proven Closer for the Bombers
Williams is not just a closer; he’s one of the best in the game. The 30-year-old right-hander turned in a solid 2024 campaign, finishing with a 1.25 ERA over 21.2 innings while striking out 15.78 batters per nine. He allowed only 0.42 home runs per nine and maintained an elite 92.6% left-on-base rate. His devastating changeup, which generated a .162 batting average against, remains a nightmare for hitters, and his ability to limit hard contact makes him the ultimate weapon in high-leverage situations.
The Yankees have struggled to find a consistent lockdown closer since the departure of Aroldis Chapman, but Williams brings a level of reliability and dominance that could finally stabilize the back end of the bullpen. Of course, they were saved by Luke Weaver’s heroics in 2024.
