The Yankees made a bold move with their latest trade, sending Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for one of the most dominant relievers in the game, Devin Williams.
Williams, famous for his devastating “Airbender” changeup, will now serve as the Yankees’ closer, adding strength to a bullpen that needed a reliable shutdown arm after losing Clay Holmes in the offseason.
An Upgrade at the Back End
Holmes had his standout moments in New York, but his inconsistency made him unreliable in high-pressure situations. In contrast, Williams has been nearly untouchable when healthy. Although injuries limited him to just 21.2 innings last season, he posted a 1.25 ERA, striking out 15.78 batters per nine innings and maintaining an impressive 92.6% left-on-base rate.
Since taking over as Milwaukee’s closer in 2021, Williams hasn’t posted an ERA higher than 2.00. At just $8.6 million for arbitration, he represents a great value, and if he stays healthy, he could be one of the Yankees’ most impactful acquisitions this offseason.
The “Airbender” Arrives in the Bronx
Williams’ changeup is not just good—it’s one of the most unhittable pitches in baseball. He uses it nearly half the time, with an average speed of 84.4 mph, an incredible 42.3 inches of vertical drop, and 19.4 inches of horizontal break. Batters hit just .162 with a .216 slugging percentage against it last season.
Williams explained his pitch, saying, “It’s honestly really simple, in my mind at least. It’s a four-seam changeup grip, and I pronate it. I know what I want to do with it. It’s a little more difficult to put into words.”
Even Yankees manager Aaron Boone was in awe of Williams’ pitch after seeing him throw it in a bullpen session: “I told him today, it was my first time standing behind that thing—it’s impressive.”
The Cost of an Elite Closer
To acquire Williams, the Yankees had to part with Cortes, a fan favorite known for his unique windups and deceptive delivery. However, with the addition of Max Fried, the Yankees’ rotation remains one of the strongest in baseball. While losing Cortes is tough, the Yankees felt confident in their current starting pitching depth.
Durbin, expected to compete for playing time at second base, is now part of the trade, as the Yankees plan to shift Jazz Chisholm to second while keeping third base open for competition or a possible midseason upgrade.
A One-Year Rental?
Williams is entering the final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent next offseason. If he performs to his potential, he’ll be in line for a significant contract. Fortunately, the Yankees will have the financial flexibility to sign him long-term if he becomes the dominant closer they expect him to be.
