Devin Williams had just arrived at Cressey Sports Performance in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., when he was stunned to learn he had been traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the New York Yankees. While Williams had expected to be traded during the offseason, becoming a Yankee was not part of his vision.
Williams thought he would join the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the clubs that had expressed some level of trade interest in the two-time winner of the Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s top reliever.
“I kind of thought I’d be going to LA,” Williams said on Tuesday. “That’s what I was being told. The Yankees snuck in there under the table and got the deal done.”
Williams said he hadn’t heard much about the Yankees’ interest despite his expectations until the trade happened. During the Winter Meetings, The Athletic reported that the Yankees had been one of several teams targeting Williams. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are pursuing free-agent closer Tanner Scott as they seek another high-leverage reliever.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed on Friday that he had contacted the Brewers about Williams at both the trade deadline and in spring training over the past few years to explore the possibility of a deal. Milwaukee ultimately decided to trade him this offseason due to his projected $7.7 million arbitration salary in his final year before free agency. With limited payroll flexibility, the Brewers viewed the move as a way to save money.
“As someone that’s been (in Milwaukee) for the last six years, I just understand that’s how they operate,” Williams said. “It was kind of expected. I don’t think it was a — did I want to stay there or not? I don’t really know if that was ever an option for me. They never made that a possibility. I was pretty sure that I was getting traded this offseason.”
“There’s no bigger team in baseball.”
– Devin Williams on his reaction to being traded to the Yankees. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/KMn1dXQMLJ
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 17, 2024
After losing Juan Soto in free agency, the Yankees focused on improving their run prevention, a need they addressed with the additions of starter Max Fried and Williams. While Williams, 30, hasn’t yet engaged in long-term extension talks with the Yankees, he remains open to the possibility. “If it makes sense for both sides, that’s always an option,” he said.
Relievers can be notoriously volatile, but Williams has been one of the most consistent bullpen arms in recent years. Since 2020, his 1.70 ERA ranks second only to Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase among all qualified relievers. His FIP, batting average against and strikeout rate are all among the top three in the league.
“Big fastball and a devastating changeup — that’s his calling card,” Cashman said about why he wanted Williams. “Soft contact, swing-and-miss, ground balls – and the consistency he’s been able to provide for quite some time now. I’m sure we weren’t the only bidders here in the end. He certainly doesn’t seem to be afraid; you can’t do that job if you’re afraid of the big stage.”
Williams’ 2024 season ended on a sour note when he allowed four runs and blew the save in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the New York Mets. With just three career postseason appearances, he has allowed six runs in 2 1/3 innings. But he’s determined to overcome his postseason struggles now that he’s with the Yankees.
“The way my mind works, every failure I’ve ever had has stuck with me,” Williams said. “It’s not something that holds me back. If anything, it pushes me forward. Every time I failed, I want to get back on the mound to right myself. That’s how I’ve been in every time I’ve failed. I’ve blown saves before and the next day, I want to get out there and put up a zero to help my team win.”
The next time Williams gets on an MLB mound, he’ll be clean-shaven for the first time in roughly six years. Williams said he plans on keeping his beard for as long as he possibly can. That wouldn’t have been a consideration if he wound up with the Dodgers instead of the Yankees.
(Photo: Benny Sieu / Imagn Images)
