According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Yankees are set to acquire closer Devin Williams in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. In return, the Yankees will send pitcher Nestor Cortes and second base prospect Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee.
Second baseman Caleb Durbin is also headed to the Milwaukee Brewers along with Nestor Cortes in the Devin Williams deal, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 13, 2024
Brewers Trade Devin Williams to the Yankees
Williams is coming off another strong performance last season, even after missing four months with a back injury. In 22 appearances, the right-hander notched 14 saves and posted a 1.25 ERA (341 ERA+) in 21 2/3 innings. He is in the final year of arbitration and is projected to earn $8.4 million.
The 30-year-old features one of the nastiest pitches in the league, a changeup nicknamed the “Airbender,” that has made him one of the toughest pitchers to face in the game. Though his 11.8 percent career walk rate is well above league average, it’s negated by a monster strikeout rate of 39.4 percent.
Devin Williams is a DAWG
— Jason (@Dominguez2HOF) December 13, 2024
A two-time All-Star and two-time Reliever of the Year, Williams will take over as closer in the Bronx, thus shifting Luke Weaver to a set-up role. This trade for Williams comes days after the Yankees signed Max Fried to a big contract. After losing Juan Soto to the Mets, general manager Brian Cashman seemingly wants to improve the club through run prevention.
Cortes, Durbin to Milwaukee
In this deal, the Brewers will acquire pitching depth and a top prospect with team control. Though Williams is a better pitcher, Cortes will fill a hole in Milwaukee’s rotation to start the season. Since breaking out in 2021, Cortes has posted a 3.33 ERA (124 ERA+) in 489 innings.
Cortes features added value as a versatile arm that manager Pat Murphy can utilize in the bullpen if needed. Like Williams, Cortes is a free agent after the 2025 season.
The work that Caleb Durbin put in with the #Yankees in his two years here is pretty wild.
Went from a slap-hitting infielder with 50% GB rates to a guy with good launch angles and developing game power in two years, what they've done with his swing is awesome man. https://t.co/xAkx6iT0cB pic.twitter.com/AwckDlcXLq
— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) November 10, 2024
On the other hand, Durbin has yet to make his Major League debut and can be controlled for at least six more seasons. Many expected Durbin to compete for a spot on the Yankees Opening Day roster during Spring Training. Instead, he will fight to earn a spot as a Willy Adames replacement in Milwaukee.
25 in late February, Durbin is a speedy, contact-first infielder. He just set a record for the most stolen bases in the Arizona Fall League and hit .275 with 35 walks and 40 strikeouts in the minors last season.
