Yankees Trade Idea Brings in $10 Million Closer to End Devin Williams Crisis

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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

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New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams struck out Xander Bogaerts of the San Diego Padres to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 10th inning at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.

But that was a rare success for the 30-year-old former Milwaukee Brewers closer acquired in a major trade last December.

Overall, Williams' short tenure in the Bronx has been a disaster. He brought a 10.03 ERA into Wednesday's game. Williams' latest collapse came on Monday when he entered the eighth inning with a 3-0 lead over the Padres and quickly coughed it up. The Yankees lost that game 4-3.

New York Yankees struggling reliever Kenly Jansen.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Devin Williams #38 of the New York Yankees takes the field during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on March 27, 2025 in New York, New... New York Yankees/Getty Images

Manager Aaron Boone has turned to Luke Weaver, installing him in the closer's role he held during the stretch run late last season. But it was Weaver who relieved Williams on Monday and gave up the eventual winning run.

But one trade proposal, admittedly a bold one, could solve the Yankees closer crisis — and would have the added benefit of bringing in a future Hall of Famer to wind up his career in the Bronx.

Kenley Jansen is in his first year with the Los Angeles Angels, who signed him to a one-year, $10 million contract. The 37-year-old has picked up where he left off after saving 56 games in 64 chances over two seasons with the Boston Red Sox.

Jansen's Hall of Fame credentials are probably confirmed already. He stands fourth on the all-time saves list with 454. But he is chasing another former Red Sox closer, Lee Smith, who recorded 478 over an 18-year career with eight different teams. Jansen would undoubtedly like to retire in third place.

More MLB: Yankees, Devin Williams Could Agree to Part Ways Before Deadline, Insider Suggests

Smith, who hung up his spikes after the 1997 season, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. With just 24 more saves, Jansen would move past Smith on the career leader board. That total probably would not be within reach with the currently last-place, 14-20 Angels.

But with the Yankees, that number would become much more achievable.

Because Jansen would be a partial-season rental for the Yankees — either re-entering free agency or retiring after this season when his contract expires — the price to get him out of Anaheim to the Bronx should not be high.

A pair of lower minor-league pitching prospects — such as 2023 sixth-round pick Cade Smith, a righty, along with left Kyle Carr, a third-rounder that same year — should be plenty to secure Jansen and stabilize the crucial high-leverage end of the Yankees bullpen as they pursue a return trip to the World Series.

Smith and Carr, both currently at the High-A level of the Yankees system, are the organization's Nos. 14 and 18 ranked prospects, respectively.

More MLB: Tigers Trade Idea Gets Detroit $10 Million Future Hall of Famer For Pennant Drive

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About the writer

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His ... Read more