After taking a gamble on Juan Soto for one season and losing him in free agency, the New York Yankees are making another bold move—this time with All-Star closer Devin Williams.
On Friday, the Yankees acquired Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin, and $2 million.
“He’s a year away from free agency, but we’ve been pursuing him for years,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. “We likely weren’t the only ones bidding for him.”
Williams, a 30-year-old right-hander, becomes a free agent after the 2025 season. His 2024 campaign started late due to two stress fractures in his back but was nothing short of dominant. He made his debut on July 28, going 14-for-15 in save opportunities with a remarkable 1.25 ERA.
Known for his “Airbender” changeup, Williams struck out 43.2% of batters faced in 2024, the highest rate in MLB among pitchers with at least 20 innings. Despite injury setbacks, his velocity and poise on the mound have made him a sought-after closer.
“He’s fearless, which you need on the big stage,” Cashman added.
In his career, Williams boasts a 1.83 ERA with 68 saves in 78 chances over six seasons. Drafted in 2013, he has become a two-time All-Star, striking out 375 batters in 235 2/3 innings.
Meanwhile, the Brewers, led by GM Matt Arnold, see Cortes as a key addition to their rotation. Cortes, an All-Star in 2022, struggled with injuries the past two seasons but is expected to be fully healthy by spring training.
“Cortes brings stability and championship experience,” Arnold said, referencing his contributions to the Yankees’ success.
Durbin, a versatile infield prospect, is also part of the deal. The 25-year-old hit .287 with 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 29 steals at Triple-A this season. Brewers manager Pat Murphy sees Durbin as an ideal fit, citing his speed, defense, and growing positional flexibility.
The Yankees, meanwhile, continue to reshape their roster after securing a blockbuster deal with Max Fried. Their rotation now includes Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt, with Marcus Stroman providing depth.
“We felt acquiring a closer like Devin Williams was harder than resolving our infield depth,” Cashman explained.
The Yankees’ offseason moves may not be over. Cashman has been in talks with Scott Boras about free-agent stars like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, signaling their continued ambition to build a powerhouse roster.
