The New York Yankees made a bold move this offseason, but not by ending their no-beard policy. Instead, they traded Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers for closer Devin Williams, signaling a focus on run prevention and reshaping their roster after losing slugger Juan Soto to free agency.
The big question now is whether the Yankees should lock Williams into a long-term deal or wait to see how he performs in the pressure-cooker environment of New York before committing. According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, holding off might be the best approach for both parties.
A potential five-year, $80 million deal has been discussed, placing Williams just below the four-year, $72 million contract Tanner Scott signed with the Dodgers. Known for his dominant “Airbender” changeup, Williams has been one of the top relievers in baseball in recent years.
Devin WilliamsHowever, after a delayed start to 2024 due to injury, the Yankees may want to assess how he handles the New York spotlight before offering him a major contract. Williams, who has the chance to reset the reliever market if he stays healthy and performs well, has every reason to bet on himself this season.
For the Yankees, the unpredictability of relief pitchers is always a concern, and the added uncertainty of how Williams will adjust to the pressure of pitching in New York makes it even more important to wait. Having spent his entire career in Milwaukee, stepping into the spotlight of Yankee Stadium is a big change—one the front office will want to closely observe before committing significant money.
Williams has already made headlines in the Bronx before even throwing a pitch, when he challenged the Yankees’ no-beard rule by speaking directly to owner Hal Steinbrenner, leading to a change in the policy. He admitted that the beard ban would have influenced his decision in free agency, so now that it’s no longer an issue, the Yankees and Williams can take their time to see if it’s a good fit.
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