Breaking Good-News; The Yankees’ New Weapon: Yankees Officially Land Milwaukee Two-time All-Star and former NL Reliever of the Year in Blockbuster Trade

The Yankees have long had their eye on Devin Williams, with general manager Brian Cashman confirming previous failed attempts to bring the star closer to New York. On Friday, they finally secured Williams in a trade with the Brewers, sending left-hander Nestor Cortes, infielder Caleb Durbin, and cash considerations to Milwaukee.

This major acquisition strengthens the Yankees’ bullpen for the 2025 season, adding a two-time All-Star and former National League Reliever of the Year. With his dominant track record and powerful pitch mix, Williams is a thrilling addition to the roster.

At 30 years old, Williams has an impressive career, including being named National League Rookie of the Year in 2020 and earning Reliever of the Year honors in 2021 and 2023. Known for his electric fastball and devastating changeup, he excels at generating weak contact, strikeouts, and ground balls. In 2024, despite dealing with back injuries that delayed his season debut, he posted a remarkable 1.25 ERA in 22 appearances.

However, his postseason performance, including a blown save in the NL Wild Card Series, revealed some potential weaknesses. With one year of arbitration left, the Yankees have not yet discussed a long-term extension with their new closer.

Yankees Rebuild Their Bullpen
Williams’ addition marks a shift in the Yankees’ bullpen strategy. Luke Weaver, who was initially expected to be the closer, will now move to a setup role. Jonathan Loáisiga, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is expected to return midseason. The bullpen will be critical for the Yankees, especially after losing key figures like Clay Holmes to the Mets and free agents Tim Hill and Tommy Kahnle. Cashman praised Williams’ elite talent and his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, making him a valuable closer in the competitive AL East.

In return for Williams, the Brewers get left-hander Nestor Cortes, a reliable starter who brings experience to their rotation. Despite a rough postseason outing, in which he allowed a walk-off grand slam in the World Series, Cortes posted a solid 3.77 ERA over 174 1/3 innings in 2024. A former All-Star, Cortes has been a key piece of the Yankees’ pitching staff for five seasons, but the recent acquisition of Max Fried made him expendable. The Brewers now have a dependable starter under team control for one more season before he hits free agency.

Infielder Caleb Durbin, also part of the trade, had a breakout season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .287 with 10 homers and 60 RBIs. He also impressed in the Arizona Fall League, setting a new stolen base record with 29 steals in just 24 games. While Durbin was considered a strong candidate for New York’s second base job, his departure clears the way for internal options like Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza, as the Yankees continue to explore external upgrades, including free agent Alex Bregman.

This trade for Williams highlights the Yankees’ aggressive push to improve their roster for the 2025 season. In addition to acquiring Max Fried and revamping their bullpen, the team is still evaluating options to upgrade at third base. Cashman acknowledged that there is still work to be done, but emphasized the importance of assembling a championship-caliber team. With Williams anchoring the bullpen and a revamped rotation, the Yankees are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the American League, determined to return to the top as World Series favorites.