Yankees to Add Brewers' Closer Devin Williams, According to Report
The New York Yankees are obtaining reliever Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in return for left-hander Nestor Cortes and a prospect, according to multiple reports on Friday.
Williams, 30, is a two-time All-Star (2022, 2023) and former National League Rookie of the Year. He has recorded 68 saves and maintained a 1.83 ERA over six seasons with Milwaukee.
Cortes, also 30, was an All-Star in 2022 and is coming off a 9-10 season with a 3.77 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) for the Yankees. Since 2018, he has a record of 33-21 and a 3.80 ERA in 135 games (86 starts) with three different teams.
In addition, 24-year-old infielder Caleb Durbin is also part of the deal, according to reports. Durbin had a .275 batting average with 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases in 90 games across three levels in the minors in 2024.
Williams' final season with Milwaukee was marked by an injury and a disastrous blown save.
He began the season on the injured list due to a stress fracture in his back and did not make his major league debut until July 28. Once he was healthy, Williams had a 1.25 ERA in 22 relief appearances, helping the Brewers win their second consecutive NL Central title.
Williams secured the save in Game 2 of the Brewers' wild-card series against the New York Mets, but struggled in Game 3 the following night. He entered the game in the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead, but ended up giving up four runs, including a go-ahead three-run homer by Pete Alonso, as the Mets came back to win 4-2.
