New York Yankees Acquire All-Star Closer Devin Williams from Milwaukee Brewers
The New York Yankees have acquired all-star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers, the teams announced Friday. In exchange, the Brewers will receive starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and prospect Caleb Durbin.
Williams, 30, is a two-time All-Star and two-time Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year. Last season, he was 1-0 with a 1.25 ERA and 14 saves in 21 2/3 innings after missing the first four months of the season with a stress fracture in his back. Williams has a 1.83 ERA in 235 2/3 career innings with 68 career saves.
Williams will become the Yankees’ new closer, and Luke Weaver will move back into a setup role. Cortes will immediately join the Brewers’ starting rotation, where he had a 3.77 ERA over 174.1 innings with a 9-10 record last season.
The Yankees parted with Cortes due to a wealth of starting pitching the team had after signing Max Fried to the most lucrative contract given to a left-handed starting pitcher in MLB history. Durbin, 24, is a prospect who can play all over the diamond and hit.269 with 110 stolen bases in four minor league seasons.
The Yankees don’t appear to be done making moves yet and reportedly have interest in trading for outfielders Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger to replace Juan Soto.
