Nestor Cortes on the right in a Yankees uniform and Devin Williams on the left in a Brewers uniform, both pictured during the 2024 MLB season

The New York Yankees are reportedly set to acquire reliever Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers, as first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN and later confirmed by The Athletic. In return, the Yankees are sending starting pitcher Nestor Cortes, second base prospect Caleb Durbin, and some cash considerations to Milwaukee.

What Devin Williams could bring to the Yankees

Devin Williams in a Brewers uniform during the 2024 MLB seasonNYT
Williams, 30, has been a standout in the Brewers’ bullpen, earning two All-Star nods and the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year award. Over six MLB seasons, all with Milwaukee, Williams has posted a stellar 1.83 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 235 2/3 innings, along with 68 saves. Last season, despite missing the first three months due to a stress fracture in his back, Williams returned to form, allowing just three earned runs over 21 2/3 innings in the regular season. He notched 14 saves in 22 appearances but had a tough postseason, surrendering a critical home run to Pete Alonso in Game 3 of the Brewers’ series against the Mets.

The Brewers declined Williams’ $10.5 million option for the 2025 season, making this his final year of arbitration. The move signals a shift for Milwaukee, while the Yankees aim to solidify their bullpen with the addition of a proven reliever.

Williams joins a Yankees bullpen that includes Jonathan Loáisiga, who is set to return from Tommy John surgery, and Luke Weaver, who emerged as the closer in the latter half of 2024. Manager Aaron Boone will now face the decision of whether to designate Williams or Weaver as the team’s closer heading into 2025.

Clay Holmes, who held the closer role for much of his tenure with the Yankees, signed with the Mets last week, further emphasizing the need for bullpen reinforcements in the Bronx.

Nestor Cortes heads to Milwaukee

New York Yankees’ Nestor Cortes walks to the dugout after pitching during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in New YorkAP
Nestor Cortes has been a reliable presence in the Yankees’ rotation since his breakout in 2021. Over the past four seasons, Cortes made 84 starts, including 173 1/3 innings in 2024. With the recent addition of Max Fried, the Yankees’ rotation became crowded, making Cortes a trade candidate.

Cortes’ contributions were crucial to the Yankees’ 2024 campaign, which ended in a World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Following news of the trade, Yankees fans took to social media to express their gratitude for Cortes. Many highlighted his role in the team’s postseason run and wished him well in Milwaukee. Minutes after this announcement, a lot of Yankees fans shared their gratitude with Nestor Cortes on X.com, formerly known as Twitter.

A lot of them also said that he was important to the Yankees’ campaign in 2024, which ended with a World Series final loss to the Dodgers.

Bolstered bullpen for 2025

The addition of Devin Williams provides the Yankees with a dominant late-inning arm to pair with their current bullpen options. Williams’ ability to neutralize hitters and his experience in high-pressure situations make him a valuable asset as the Yankees aim to contend for another World Series appearance.

While the trade signals a significant change for both franchises, it underscores the Yankees’ commitment to bolstering their roster in pursuit of championship success.

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