The New York Yankees have taken advantage of free agency with various transactions, including bringing in established right-handed closer Devin Williams. In return, the Yankees are sending infielder Caleb Durbin and pitcher Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee.
Welcome to New York, Devin Williams!
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— MLB (@MLB) December 13, 2024
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It is safe to say the team’s long-standing search for a closer has concluded. The Yankees parted ways from their former closer a few weeks ago. Right-hander Clay Holmes entered free agency, where he was picked up by the New York Mets.
Cortes was also a key contributor as both a starter and reliever, but his reliability was minimal as the seasons went on. The Yankees also used the southpaw for sporadic save situations, which didn’t really amount to much time. His contributions don’t quite stack up to the return the Yankees gained.
As for the Yankees’ interim closer, Luke Weaver, his role is almost certain to change. With Williams as the newly established closer, Weaver most likely will move to a set-up role and serve as backup closer.
Breaking Down the Analytics on Devin Williams
The right-hander has six seasons in the major leagues. His entire career has been with the Milwaukee Brewers, who drafted him in the second round of the 2013 draft.
The 24-year-old’s career saw real life in the year of 2021 and fully blossomed in 2022. In the 2021 season, he recorded an 8-2 record in 54 innings with 96 strikeouts and 30 walks. It was 2022 when Williams solidified himself in relief, and the Brewers began to rely on him in volatile situations.
In 2023, Williams crafted the best season he’s had yet in his career. The reliever pitched 58 2/3 innings, putting up 36 saves, only blowing four. He had a 90% save percentage with a 1.53 ERA. His season-ending record was 8-3 with 87 strikeouts and 28 walks with 231 batters faced.
In 2024 he saved 14 games with a 1.25 ERA. Williams has a career 1.83 ERA with 68 saves. He made the All-Star team twice, in 2022 and 2023.
How Does the Closer Bring Value to the Bronx?
The right-hander Williams is established from a pitch-ability aspect, regardless of what relief capacity he’s in. He’s shown the capability to throw the baseball with emphasis and conviction. The 6’2” 193-pounder steps off the mound with a calm and repeated delivery, showing a fluid arm action and slot.
As a closer or late-game reliever, his composure is key, even in the most stressful situations. One of Williams’ biggest strong points is his command. Precise pitch location is almost guaranteed from Williams, including both his fastball and off-speed stuff.
The right-hander employs a three-pitch mix; a four-seam fastball, changeup, and cutter. The fastball command is on point, and he’s able to work hard corners with it. It sits around 95-97 mph with arm side run.
His fastball is his most used pitch. It has a noticeable arm-side run, with 11.7 inches of horizontal movement. It is spot on with command, and he’s able to paint the top and bottom shelf.
His changeup is his out-pitch. It holds values such as a 31.9% put-away rate and keeps hitters at a .162 batting average. He starts the pitch opposite from where he wants it, and the movement breaks at a 19.4-inch arm side horizontal run and 42.3-inch vertical drop.
Williams generates a good amount of defensive plays, responsible for 48.1% ground-outs in 2024 as well as 35.1% fly-outs.
Devin Williams brings versatility to the back end of the bullpen. He’s been compared to pitchers such as Joe Kelly and Blake Snell in terms of mechanics. The Yankees have found their stopper for 2025.
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