The New York Yankees have once again made a transaction to improve.

On Friday afternoon, the New York Yankees acquired Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortés Jr. and prospect Caleb Durbin.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Full trade, sources confirm:
Devin Williams to the Yankees for Nestor Cortes Jr. and Caleb Durbin.<a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBNetwork</a>
&mdash; Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1867623921794920527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
Williams has been one of the best relievers in baseball for some time now. Last season in 21.2 innings pitched, he had a 1.25 ERA and a 2.06 FIP, along with a 43.2 K% and a 12.5 BB%, picking up 14 saves in 15 opportunities.
In his last full season back in 2023, Williams had a 1.53 ERA and a 2.66 FIP in 58.2 innings pitched, with a 37.7 K% and a 12.1 BB%. Moreover, he saved 36 games in 40 opportunities. For his career, Williams has a 1.83 ERA and a 2.39 FIP in 235.2 innings pitched, with a 39.4 K% and an 11.8 BB%.
A few days ago, the Yankees signed Max Fried to a seven-year deal. With that signing, the Yankees had three left-handed starters in their rotation, with Carlos Rodón and Cortés Jr. being the other two, so trading the odd man out (Cortés Jr.) made sense. Last season, Cortés Jr. had a 3.77 ERA and a 3.84 FIP in 174.1 innings pitched, with a 22.8 K% and a 5.5 BB%.
His best season was in 2022, where he had a 2.44 ERA and a 3.13 FIP in 158.1 innings pitched, with a 26.5 K% and a 6.2 BB%.
As for Durbin, he was selected in the 14th round of the 2021 draft by the Atlanta Braves, but the Yankees acquired him for Lucas Luetge. Last season between Double-A and Triple-A, the 24-year-old infielder slashed .275/.388/.451 with 10 home runs, along with more walks (13.1 BB%) than strikeouts (9.9%) for a 124 wRC+.
In the Arizona Fall League for Salt River, he slashed .312/.427/.548 with five home runs in 117 plate appearances, with more walks (17) than strikeouts (6). He also stole 29 bases in 30 attempts. Not too shabby for a player standing at 5’6”.
Realistically, this helps both the Yankees and the Brewers, but the Blue Jays are only in a division with one of those teams. So far, their only big move has been acquiring Andrés Giménez for Spencer Horwitz, downgrading offence in the process. Time to bring Teoscar Hernández home or sign Anthony Santander.
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

The New York Yankees have once again made a transaction to improve.



On Friday afternoon, the New York Yankees acquired Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortés Jr. and prospect Caleb Durbin.

https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1867623921794920527

&nbsp;

Williams has been one of the best relievers in baseball for some time now. Last season in 21.2 innings pitched, he had a 1.25 ERA and a 2.06 FIP, along with a 43.2 K% and a 12.5 BB%, picking up 14 saves in 15 opportunities.

In his last full season back in 2023, Williams had a 1.53 ERA and a 2.66 FIP in 58.2 innings pitched, with a 37.7 K% and a 12.1 BB%. Moreover, he saved 36 games in 40 opportunities. For his career, Williams has a 1.83 ERA and a 2.39 FIP in 235.2 innings pitched, with a 39.4 K% and an 11.8 BB%.

A few days ago, the Yankees signed Max Fried to a seven-year deal. With that signing, the Yankees had three left-handed starters in their rotation, with Carlos Rodón and Cortés Jr. being the other two, so trading the odd man out (Cortés Jr.) made sense. Last season, Cortés Jr. had a 3.77 ERA and a 3.84 FIP in 174.1 innings pitched, with a 22.8 K% and a 5.5 BB%.

His best season was in 2022, where he had a 2.44 ERA and a 3.13 FIP in 158.1 innings pitched, with a 26.5 K% and a 6.2 BB%.

As for Durbin, he was selected in the 14th round of the 2021 draft by the Atlanta Braves, but the Yankees acquired him for Lucas Luetge. Last season between Double-A and Triple-A, the 24-year-old infielder slashed .275/.388/.451 with 10 home runs, along with more walks (13.1 BB%) than strikeouts (9.9%) for a 124 wRC+.

In the Arizona Fall League for Salt River, he slashed .312/.427/.548 with five home runs in 117 plate appearances, with more walks (17) than strikeouts (6). He also stole 29 bases in 30 attempts. Not too shabby for a player standing at 5’6”.

Realistically, this helps both the Yankees and the Brewers, but the Blue Jays are only in a division with one of those teams. So far, their only big move has been acquiring Andrés Giménez for Spencer Horwitz, downgrading offence in the process. Time to bring Teoscar Hernández home or sign Anthony Santander.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

The Yankees get better, as they acquire Devin Williams from the Brewers

Recent articles from Ryley Delaney

Breaking News