Yankees Acquire Devin Williams from Brewers in Trade for Néstor Cortés and Caleb Durbin
Yankees Bolster Bullpen with Blockbuster Trade for All-Star Closer Devin Williams
New York, NY - The New York Yankees have made a major move to shore up their bullpen for the upcoming season, acquiring two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-hander Néstor Cortés, infielder Caleb Durbin, and cash considerations.
While the teams have yet to officially announce the deal, sources close to the situation have confirmed the agreement.
Williams, 30, has established himself as one of baseball’s elite relievers, earning NL Reliever of the Year honors in both 2021 and 2023. He was also named the NL Rookie of the Year in 2020.
Last season, Williams posted a dominant 1.25 ERA in 22 appearances for Milwaukee,racking up 14 saves while finishing 19 games. However, his campaign was hampered by two stress fractures in his back, delaying his season debut until July 28th.
The Brewers declined Williams’ $10.5 million option for the 2025 season in November; the hard-throwing right-hander enters his final year of arbitration eligibility after earning $7 million in 2024.
The addition of Williams signals a meaningful shift in the Yankees’ bullpen, moving Luke Weaver into a setup role. Former closer Clay Holmes recently signed with the Mets,while Tim Hill and Tommy Kahnle are now free agents. The Yankees did re-sign Jonathan Loáisiga, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to rejoin the team sometime next season.
Cortés,who was sidelined since September 18th with a left elbow flexor strain,was a reliable starter for the Yankees in 2024. He finished the season with a 9-10 record and a 3.77 ERA in 174.1 innings.
The Cuban lefty, who was an AL All-Star in 2022, has spent five of his seven MLB seasons with the Yankees, also having brief stints with the Orioles and Mariners. In 135 career appearances (86 starts), Cortés has compiled a 33-21 record and a 3.80 ERA.
After earning $3.95 million last year and entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, Cortés became expendable for the Yankees following the addition of Max Fried, who agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract on Tuesday – the largest ever given to a left-handed pitcher.
Durbin, 24, was considered a strong candidate to compete for the second base job next season, given the likely departure of Gleyber Torres in free agency. Durbin earned a spot on the Yankees’ 40-man roster thanks to his notable performance in the Arizona Fall League, where he set a record with 29 stolen bases in 24 games.
Durbin spent most of last season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he hit .287/.396/.471 with 23 doubles, 10 home runs, and 60 RBIs.His Fall League performance further boosted his value, as he batted.312/.427/.548 with five home runs in 24 games, along with those record-breaking 29 steals, surpassing the previous mark of 24 set by Rick Holifield in 1994, when the league’s schedule was nearly twice as long.
Yankees’ Big Bet: Devin williams Trade Signals World Series Aspirations
NewsDirectory3 Exclusive Interview with MLB Analyst, Mark Johnson
ND3: The Yankees just made waves, trading for closer devin Williams. How big of a move is this for the Bronx bombers, Mark?
MJ: This is a blockbuster move, plain and simple. Devin Williams is arguably the best closer in baseball, and he addresses a glaring weakness for the Yankees. Acquiring a reliever of his caliber shows they’re all-in for a World Series run.
ND3: Williams had a slightly injury-shortened season. How concerned should Yankees fans be about his health?
MJ: It’s fair to have some concern. Back injuries can be tricky, especially for pitchers who rely on velocity like Williams. However, he’s young and was dominant when healthy. The Yankees clearly feel confident in his ability to bounce back.
ND3: What does this mean for the rest of the Yankees bullpen?
MJ: It’s a complete shake-up. Williams slots in as the unquestioned closer, pushing Luke Weaver into a setup role, and changes the dynamic entirely. This bullpen now has a clear hierarchy and a true shutdown option late in games.
ND3: The Yankees gave up some solid pieces in this deal.how do you assess the overall value for both teams?
MJ: It was a steep price, no dúvida. Néstor Cortés was a valuable starter, and Caleb Durbin has a bright future. But the Yankees are in win-now mode, and Williams gives them an edge few teams can match. For Milwaukee, they receive MLB-ready talent and potential for the future. it’s a classic win-now vs. build-for-the-future scenario.
ND3: Any final thoughts on this trade, Mark?
MJ: This is a bold move by the Yankees, and it’s one that could pay off bigly if Williams stays healthy. It shows their commitment to winning, and it’s going to be exciting to see how this shakes out in the coming season.