The New York Yankees are trying to move on after having to watch superstar Juan Soto in free agency with the New York Mets, agreeing to a 15-year, $765 million deal, a huge void. left in the field for the “Yanks”.
New York moved quickly to pick up the pieces and sign lefty Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal, but the Yankees weren’t done yet and made another big move Friday morning.
The Yankees acquired superstar closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in exchange for left-handed starter Nestor Cortez and minor league infielder Caleb Durbin, prompting similar reactions from fans.
The Yankees bullpen just got a whole lot nastier 😤
(via @PitchingNinja)pic.twitter.com/6M5p33R6Sy
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) December 13, 2024
The Yankees bullpen has been significantly strengthened, displaying an impressive array of talent and skills.
— Abdul 🖤 (@abdul20271) December 13, 2024
Very well done guys!
— Shahnaz Shafiq (@Wa22595Wasi) December 13, 2024
The Yankees are going to make hitters rethink their entire careers.
— Natalie May (@nathaliemayy) December 13, 2024
The Yankees have locked up the AL East
— James Russell (@JamesRu33) December 13, 2024
It’s a big upgrade for the Yankees, as Williams has a career ERA of 1.83 and a 39.4 percent strikeout rate.
The concern is that Williams has a year left on his contract and has some injury issues after missing the first half of the 2024 season with a lower back injury, though he has looked like his usual dominant self since returning.
He’s also had his share of playoff woes, but that’s a small sample size and not enough to hold the Yankees back.
Cortez has become expendable since the Fried signing, and Durbin is about to turn 25 and likely didn’t factor into the team’s long-term plans, so it’s a strong move by the Yankees to land one of the game’s best closers.
He will be an upgrade from Klay Holmes, who recently signed with the Mets and will likely develop into a starter.
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