The New York Yankees have completed a trade to acquire All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The agreement, which also involves the Yankees sending over $1 million to the Brewers, was reported by an anonymous source familiar with the trade.
Devin Williams, a 30-year-old right-hander known for his exceptional “Airbender” changeup, is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season. He faced challenges earlier this season, having been diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back during spring training, which delayed his debut until July 28. Nonetheless, Williams demonstrated his prowess on the mound, successfully converting 14 of 15 save opportunities with an impressive 1.25 ERA across 21 2/3 innings, as he recorded 38 strikeouts and 11 walks.
While his offseason concluded with disappointment after allowing a three-run homer to Pete Alonso of the New York Mets during the Wild Card Series, Williams’ past achievements are noteworthy. As a two-time All-Star in 2022 and 2023, his career stats include 27 wins, 10 losses, and a remarkable 1.83 ERA, along with 68 saves in 78 chances over six seasons.
Meanwhile, Nestor Cortes, who just turned 30, was an All-Star in 2022, finishing that season with a 12-4 record and a personal best of 2.44 ERA in 28 starts. His 2023 campaign was plagued by injuries, limiting him to just one start after May 30, but he made a postseason appearance. Cortes carries a career record of 33-21, with a 3.80 ERA over seven seasons and is also eligible for arbitration.
In addition to the established talents exchanged, the Yankees included prospect Caleb Durbin in the deal. At 25 years old, Durbin had a productive season in Triple-A, boasting a .287 batting average, 10 home runs, and 60 RBIs, as well as impressive speed on the bases with 29 stolen bases.
This trade points toward the Yankees’ future ambitions and a commitment to enhancing their bullpen depth while dealing from a surplus of pitching talent.
In a positive light, the addition of Williams brings a fresh energy to the Yankees’ bullpen, highlighting their investment in building a formidable roster for the upcoming seasons. As they navigate through player changes, the potential for growth and success remains bright for the franchise.
This trade also showcases the Yankees’ willingness to restructure and improve their team dynamics, which could lead to exciting developments in their pursuit of victory in the next MLB seasons.