When the New York Yankees made a deal to acquire former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams, many expected him to thrive with his new team. The duo of Williams and Luke Weaver in the backend of New York’s bullpen had the potential to be one of the best in the game, but it has not quite gone that way.
Williams has a 6.35 ERA and minus-0.6 WAR across 26 games and 22 2/3 innings pitched. His first season in a Yankees uniform has not gone how he envisioned it would and that may be why Mark Feinsand of MLB.com listed Williams as a player that needs a change of scenery.
“At first glance, trading the two-time All-Star reliever after acquiring him this winter seems like a crazy idea, but Williams has never seemed comfortable since joining the Yankees during the offseason,” Feinsand wrote. “There was the facial hair issue during spring training, then a rocky start (10.00 ERA in his first 10 appearances) that cost him the closer’s job before the end of April.”
Feinsand predicts that when New York’s current closer Luke Weaver returns from the injured list, Williams’ days in a Yankees uniform could be numbered.
“He’s been better during the past month (2.45 ERA in 12 appearances), but Williams will be a free agent after the season and seems unlikely to return to the Yankees in 2026,” he wrote. “With Luke Weaver firmly entrenched as the closer (at least once he returns from the IL in a month or so), New York could look to move Williams later in July to get a return for him rather than watching him walk as a free agent.”
If New York decides to move off Williams when Weaver returns, teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals could use relief pitching help.
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