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The New York Yankees traded for Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason. Williams is a two-time All-Star and two-time Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year.
However, his early time with the Yankees has not yielded positive results. In 19 games with the Yankees, he has a 7.31 ERA and has already allowed as many earned runs as he did in the past two years combined. He is also in the final year of his deal and could be gone in free agency.
He has already been stripped of the closer role, and Luke Weaver has filled in nicely. If the Yankees do not see him taking the closer role back, he could become a trade chip. ClutchPoints' Garrett Kerman proposed this trade with the Philadelphia Phillies to move Williams:
- Yankees receive: OF Jordan Viars and RHP Andrew Baker
- Phillies receive: RHP Devin Williams
The Phillies just lost their closer, José Alvarado, to an 80-game PED suspension that also deems him ineligible for the postseason. The Phillies have World Series aspirations and could hold the key to getting Williams back on track.
"The Phillies could gamble on Williams' elite changeup-still generating a .209 xBA-by trading Jordan Viars, a power-hitting outfielder stuck behind Philadelphia's MLB-ready prospects, and reliever Andrew Baker," wrote Kerman. "Williams' $9 million expiring contract is a low-risk investment, and a reunion with pitching coach Caleb Cotham (who oversaw Williams' 2023 breakout in Milwaukee) might unlock his prior form. If Williams rediscovers even 80% of his peak ability, he'd offer a proven late-inning option alongside Jordan Romano."
Williams still could rebuild his value for the Yankees. His last five outings have shown flashes of his dominance. He has not allowed a run in that span and has struck out the side twice. If Williams does start to play like the elite closer he once was, the Yankees may quickly shut down the idea of trading him.
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About the writer
Aaliyan Mohammed is a Newsweek contributor based in Atlanta, GA. His focus is MLB content. Aaliyan has been with Newsweek ... Read more