If you haven’t heard about Devin WilliamsThe signature tune, “Airbender,” a wondrous change that seems to mock physics as it slams into your eyes, you’re about to do. He is an amazing weapon for the new Yankees, one of the best closers in baseball.
Branding adds some flair to Friday’s acquisition of Williams in a trade with the Brewers, but the real value to the Yanks goes far beyond marketing. It is directly about how they emerge from their post-Juan Soto of the world. By adding Williams and Max Friedelite starter who agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract last week, run prevention now reigns supreme in the Bronx, at least for now this winter.
We’ll find out how that works later, and as GMs, we’d probably have a lot more to think about Brian Cashman tackles the lineup for the rest of the offseason. But the Williams deal is easy to love for just that reason: An elite signing could have a huge impact on the team’s run during October, thanks to all those built-in off days.
The Yankees have been very smart to get to October — seven playoff appearances in the last eight years, 59 in their 122-year history (48.4 percent, by far the best in the major leagues). But they haven’t won it all since 2009, which is undoubtedly something the Yankee fans in your life have lamented out loud.
Maybe Williams will help them navigate the postseason cauldron, maybe until that elusive show. That’s the idea.
Williams, 30, has a career ERA of 1.83 in 241 games over six seasons in Milwaukee. As of 2020, opponents are batting a minuscule .145 against Williams. Over the past two seasons, 171 at-bats have ended on his “Airbender” changeup; opponents have 13 hits, a .111 average. In those 171 at-bats, Williams had 73 strikeouts, or 42.7 percent. Obviously, the pitch is a wonderful complement to his mid-90s fastball.
In recent years, the Yankees have been successful in turning missing pitchers into key cogs— Clay Holmes (5.57 ERA pre-Yankees, 2.69 ERA with them). That helped the Yanks finish sixth, first and third in the majors in bullpen ERA over the past three seasons. Adding one of the best relievers in baseball to their development think tank could lead to a stunner in 2025.
Luke Weaverwho finished the season as the Yanks’ closer, figures to start Williams, though Cashman told reporters Friday that the closer’s job will be up to the manager. Aaron Boone. But Weaver is an enticing multi-inning player — 31 of his 62 appearances during his 2024 breakout season went for more than three outs, and he has gone at least four outs in eight of his 12 postseason games.
Other relief options include Mark Leiter Jr., Ian Hamilton a Jake Cousins. Tommy Kahnle a Tim Hill they are free agents. Jonathan Loáisigaattractive arm, has been re-signed but still looms some injury recovery time before returning to the majors.
The Yankees still need a lefty — maybe they should sign Tanner Scottthe premier lighter on the free agent market, as part of a triple nib super pen. Scott had a 1.75 ERA in 72 games between the Marlins and Padres last season.
To acquire Williams, the Yankees parted ways with a left-handed starter Nestor Cortes and infield prospects Caleb Durbinwho could have a big league role this coming season. The Yankees recently talked to Durbin, but getting one of the best relievers in baseball is worth any potential risk, plus Cortes, who could be a depth starter.
The Yankees have an overabundance of a rotation, so “The Nasty Nestor” was expendable. But he had an impressive run with the Amics. While fans were drawn to his fun nickname, windup funk and story — he was a former 36th-round pick — he was much more than just the nuggets. Cortes was a fearless thrower who was a master of arm angles and movement speed which he used to destroy the timing of attackers.
Yes, Cortes gave up Freddie Freeman grand slam in the World Series, but he also gave the Yanks a key Game 5 in the 2022 AL Division Series victory over Cleveland.
While Williams is one of the best relievers in the game, there are risks in the deal. He missed four months last year with a back injury, although he was back among the elite when he returned. The Yanks only have control for one season, which they had with Cortes, but if it works out, they’ll clearly be motivated to try for an extension.
Williams also gave up a significant home run to Pete Alonso in the deciding game of Milwaukee’s NL Wild Card Series with the Mets last October. Called on to protect a 2-0 lead, Williams allowed Alonso a three-run single in the top of the ninth in a game the Mets won 4-2.
Such moments become close and they have to prove that they can overcome it. Mariano Rivera he gave up that notorious homer Sandy Alomar Jr. in the 1997 playoffs and that probably made him a better pitcher. No one is comparing Rivera to Williams — no one should ever be compared to Rivera — it just illustrates that there are ways through October trauma. It is clear that the Americans believe that Williams has his own.
The Yankees never found the same kind of one-man offense for their lineup after Soto parted ways with the Queens — there’s a reason Soto got $765 million from the Mets. So pitching was their focus early in the winter.
Maybe not as flashy as slotting today Ted Williams next to Aaron Judge in the batting order.
But if the Yanks play right and continue to work on offense, it could take them back to October. If Williams and his “Airbender” flourish there, who knows what might happen.