ESPN: Yankees Acquire All-Star Closer in Blockbuster Deal

Devin Williams should be acquired by the New York Yankees in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to MLB expert Joe Najarian of Sports Illustrated.

With Luke Weaver perhaps returning as a set-up man in 2025 and Clay Holmes as a free agent, the Yankees may have a vacancy at closer. In light of this, SI’s Najarian thinks the Yankees should act quickly and sign Williams to a huge contract.

“The Yankees found a lockdown closer in Luke Weaver in the closing minutes, but it’s unclear if he can continue to play at this level,” Najarian said. The Bronx Bombers lack dependable closing alternatives outside of Weaver, which makes the addition of high-leverage arms this summer even more necessary. Getting Williams would immediately resolve that issue.

“The Yankees and Brewers have not yet started talking about a Williams deal. The 30-year-old closer would stabilize a bullpen that is now in disarray, so New York should definitely pursue him if the price is right,” Najarian continued.

Williams is a top-tier closer who would improve the Yankees’ bullpen backend right away. He won Rookie of the Year once and was named to the All-Star team twice.

Williams had a 1.25 ERA, 14 saves, and one blown save in his 1-0 record with the Brewers in 2024.

Williams is the Brewers’ most likely trade candidate.
Williams has been mentioned in trade negotiations even though he is one of the top closers in baseball.

David Schoenfield of ESPN predicted in his story dated November 27 that the Brewers will try to let go of Williams.

Closer Devin Williams, who will make almost $8 million in his last year of arbitration, is one trade candidate. Like they did with Adames, the Brewers might just run him out of time,” Schoenfield wrote. Or, like they did with Josh Hader, they might move him before to free agency. However, as they did with Hader in 2022, they most likely won’t want to sell Williams in the midst of the season. The Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Phillies are a few teams that might be trade candidates.

Schoenfield anticipates the Brewers to move on from Williams, much as they did with Hader before to his huge free agency payout.

Yankees Struggling for Bullpen Support: It wouldn’t be shocking if New York traded for Williams, according to insiders.

MLB source Jon Morosi stated early in the season that the Yankees are aggressively seeking bullpen help since they have a need in their bullpen.

When it comes to negotiating with representatives for free-agent relievers during the GM Meetings, the Yankees are one of the more assertive organizations. One explanation is that Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Tim Hill, three members of their World Series bullpen, are free agents, according to Morosi.