Another Super Talented Reliever will be relocating to Yankees
In 2023, after a miserable 82-80 season, the New York Yankees have been adding players to their roster nonstop. Getting Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams would be an exciting way to end a fantastic summer.
On February 6, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report revealed “win-win” trades for the top remaining targets. Among his suggestions was for Milwaukee to trade Williams for two of the best prospects in New York to the Bronx. These are the specifics
As of 2023, MLB.com listed Hampton—who has played as high as Double-A—as the Yankees’ fourth-best prospect. Listed as New York’s ninth-best prospect, Mayea is an 18-year-old who hasn’t advanced past Rookie Ball.
It would seem excessive to trade two the additional portion-10 team possibilities for a relief pitcher. But Williams has shown to be worthwhile. After pitching 27 innings with a 0.33 ERA, he was awarded the 2020 National League Rookie of the Year Award. The right-hander’s ERA rose to 2.50 on the average in 2021, but in the following two years, it was below a value of 2
Featuring the a ratio of 1. ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 183 strikeouts in his most recent 119.1 innings pitched, Williams has a 14-7 record. With a 1.53 ERA in 58.2 innings in 2023, he won his second NL Reliever of the Year Award and finished 19th in the voting for the National League MVP Award. After his outstanding twenty-first century achievement, he was already awarded that distinction.
In order to strengthen New York’s bullpen for 2024, general manager of the Yankees Brian Cashman has made a few purchases. Luke Weaver was given a one-year contract extension. In different deals, the Los Angeles Dodgers also sent Caleb Ferguson and Victor Gonzalez to other teams. But as of right now, FanGraphs’ Roster Resource indicates that Clay Holmes will continue to close games for the Yankees.
By transferring Holmes to an eighth-inning setup role, Williams would provide manager Aaron Boone with an excellent ninth-inning alternative.
Apart from New York’s bullpen additions, Cashman and his front office have been instrumental in other endeavors. Through free agency, Marcus Stroman, the starting pitcher, was brought into the mix. By obtaining Trent Grisham, Juan Soto, and Alex Verdugo via trade, the outfield also received a transformation.
Still, according to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Yankees may make another roster move despite their Hot Stove activity. The Yankees are not entirely happy with the winter work they did to strengthen their pitching staff, which is also included. He stated on February 5 via that “I’m just guessing, but a pitcher in the spring training trade wouldn’t be shocking.”
It could be assumed by some that this would imply another acquisition to enhance the starting lineup. Blake Snell, a free agent pitcher, might continue to feed those ideas. But it would be equally, if not more, beneficial to upgrade the bullpen’s back end with a player like Williams.
If desired rotation options weren’t obtained, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic speculated on December 17 that the Yankees might construct a “super-charged bullpen”. Josh Hader, Jordan Hicks, and Robert Stephenson were among the names Rosenthal suggested.
Since then, the three pitchers have all signed with different teams. Getting Williams would improve the team without breaking the bank, provided Cashman is content with the prospect’s cost and doesn’t feel like giving up top bucks via free agency. According to Spotrac, he has a contract that pays a base salary of $7 million in 2024 and has a $10.5 million club option in twenty-five years from
