Since Juan Soto’s departure, the New York Yankees have already made one major acquisition, and more could follow. Just days after Soto signed a record-breaking $765 million contract with the New York Mets, the Yankees shattered another record by agreeing to the highest deal for a left-handed pitcher in history, paying $218 million to Max Fried.
However, if the Yankees want to return to the World Series in 2025 and win the championship, they may need to do more. Mark DeRosa of MLB Network anticipated that the Yankees would also add two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. “Devin Williams pack your stuff, we’re not staying in Milwaukee,” she told him. “I believe you and Luke Weaver will be throwing absolute bullets in the Yankee bullpen.
“Devin Williams to the Yankees makes a lot of sense to me.” If Williams is traded to the Yankees, he might serve as the team’s closer in 2025, but this appears to be less likely than it was last winter. Through the 2023 season, Williams was named to two All-Star teams, two National League Reliever of the Year awards, two Most Valuable Player Award votes, and a Rookie of the Year award. However, he began the season on the disabled list, and while recording 14 saves and a 1.25 ERA in 19 regular-season games, he appeared shaky in his most important appearances. Williams allowed four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief in the Brewers’ National League Wild Card series against the New York Mets, posting a 21.60 ERA.
Still, as he enters his final season of arbitration eligibility, Williams is expected to be a hot commodity in trade talks. If the Yankees believe they can get him for a reasonable price, he may be an intriguing addition to Weaver as a one-two punch in late innings. If Williams appears to have rediscovered his 2023 form, he might be a World Series-caliber closer for the Yankees in 2025.
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