Devin Williams's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Right-handed closer Devin Williams and the New York Yankees agreed on a one-year, $8.6 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. The Yankees acquired Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason, and he will be their undisputed closer to begin the 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old did miss the entire first half of last season while recovering from back surgery, but when he returned, he was the same lights-out closer for the Brewers to finish the year. The former second-round pick by the Brewers in 2013 has been one of the most dominant closers in baseball the last three years, posting a combined 1.66 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 65 saves, 221 strikeouts and 69 walks in 141 relief innings. There may be some injury concerns surround Williams, but he's a no-doubt top-five fantasy closer with the Yankees.

Unsurprisingly, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-handed reliever Devin Williams will serve as the team's closer next season. This was fully expected when the Yankees acquired Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason. The 30-year-old two-time All-Star will have an even higher fantasy ceiling as an elite closer heading into 2025 now that he's in the Bronx. The former second-round pick by the Brewers in 2013 had a pristine 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 51 saves in 119 1/3 innings pitched for the Brewers in 2022 and 2023. He got a late start to the 2024 season after having back surgery and threw only 21 2/3 frames in the regular season, but he was lights-out again with a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 14 saves and 38 strikeouts. Williams will be highly coveted as a top fantasy close. His arrival in the Bronx will push Luke Weaver into the eighth-inning setup role.

Former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams said he was a bit surprised when he learned he was traded to the New York Yankees this offseason. However, Williams called it "a tremendous honor" to join the Yankees after he initially thought he'd be dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 30-year-old right-hander was sent to the Yankees in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes, second base prospect Caleb Durbin and cash considerations last weekend. Williams got a late start in 2024 while recovering from a back injury that required surgery, and although he only threw 21 2/3 innings in the regular season, he returned to lights-out form, posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 38 strikeouts and 14 saves. The two-time All-Star should immediately take over closing duties from Luke Weaver in the Bronx and will have even more fantasy upside as an elite closing option in 2025.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Yankees have traded for Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams. In exchange, the Brewers are acquiring infield prospect Caleb Durbin and starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. Williams has operated as the closer in Milwaukee for the majority of the past three summers. Last season, he missed the opening four months of the campaign due to a back injury but returned to his elite form during the second half. Across 21 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander held a stellar 1.25 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP while tallying 14 saves. Under the hood, he generated an impressive 43.2% K rate and allowed hard contact at an excellent 32.4% rate. In addition, he also boasted a 2.11 xERA and .143 xBA. In 2023, Williams tallied a career-high 36 saves while carrying a 1.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Williams to operate as a bona fide ninth-inning option in the Bronx and be in a great position to lead the sport in saves pitching on a competing team. Durbin will likely compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster, following a successful Arizona Fall League showing, while Cortes should have a consistent spot in their rotation.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams is still in trade conversations. With Williams projected to earn $7.7 million in his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent, the Brewers may opt to move off the superstar closer due to their minimal payroll flexibility. With Clay Holmes agreeing to a $38 million contract with the New York Mets, Williams could be in store for a massive payday, given his elite production throughout his career. The 30-year-old missed the first half of the season due to back fractures but returned to his typical ninth-inning role in the second half and posted a 1.25 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 14 saves. Under the hood, he generated a near-perfect .143 xBA with a 43.2% K rate. Even with the possibility of a trade, fantasy managers should view Williams as a top relief pitcher in all formats heading into the 2025 campaign.