MAJOR-NEWS: Yankees Get 100.5 MPH Relief Dominator in Shock Trade Idea for $2.5 Million Vet

The New York Yankees have built a strong bullpen for 2025, highlighted by the addition of closer Devin Williams, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers on December 13. Williams, known for his unique “Airbender” changeup, recorded 36 saves in 2023 and added 14 more in 2024 despite battling stress fractures in his spine. However, despite the promising back end of their bullpen, the Yankees may face challenges due to age and injury concerns, potentially jeopardizing their hopes for another AL East title and World Series appearance.

The Yankees’ bullpen issues stem from two key factors: age and injury. Williams, 30, and Luke Weaver, 31, are both vital to the late-game relief strategy, but their history with injuries raises questions about their reliability.

Williams, for example, is entering the final year of a one-year, $8.6 million contract and will be a free agent in 2026, leaving the Yankees needing a closer for the future. Weaver, coming off a career year, is projected to experience a decline in performance in 2025, with a predicted ERA of 3.68 in 70 innings, compared to his 2.89 ERA in 84 innings last season.

A surprising trade idea could involve sending Weaver to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for fireballer Jhoan Duran, a pitcher who averaged 100.5 mph on his fastball in 2024. This trade could benefit both teams for different reasons.

Weaver, who is owed just $2.5 million in 2025, would be an affordable option for the Twins, who are known for managing financial commitments. Duran, meanwhile, would give the Yankees a young, dynamic closer with two years of team control at a relatively low price ($4.125 million in 2025). At just 27 years old, Duran has already accumulated 4.9 WAR in 174 career games, significantly outperforming Weaver’s 2.6 WAR in 206 games.

From the Yankees’ perspective, acquiring Duran would secure their closer role for the future, especially if Williams leaves in free agency. Duran’s overpowering fastball would complement Weaver’s unique “Airbender” changeup, creating a dominant late-inning duo. For the Twins, Weaver’s solid but not spectacular performance at a low cost could help bolster their bullpen, with Duran taking on a setup role. With spring training fast approaching, it remains to be seen whether the Yankees will part with a postseason hero like Weaver to secure long-term bullpen stability with this bold trade proposal.