Closer Devin Williams, excited because the Yankees ‘snuck in’ to sign him

“I thought I was going to Los Angeles,” Williams, 30, said. “That’s what they told me and the Yankees got under the table there and made the deal.”

He All-Star closer He is an impending free agent and understood that it would probably be too expensive to stay in Milwaukee. He saw a lot of rumors, but it wasn’t until his agent called him that he learned he had been traded for left-hander Néstor Cortés, prospect Caleb Durbin and cash.

So instead of joining the World Series champion Dodgers, he landed on the team the Dodgers beat for the title. Williams will bolster the Yankees’ bullpen, which has so far lost Clay Holmes to free agency and could have two more key players, Tommy Kahnle and Tim Hill, signing elsewhere this winter.

Although the Yankees general manager, Brian Cashmansaid last week that Williams’ role will depend on manager Aaron Boone, the right-hander with a devastating changeup known as “The Airbender” looks set to fill the closer role that Luke Weaver, a breakout star in 2024, held in September and during the postseason.

“I’m excited about it, man,” Williams said. “They obviously have a long history with Mariano, Aroldis. Those guys have been the best of the best. And I’m just trying to add my name to that list, hopefully. But I think it’ll be good for me. I’m someone who thrives off of the energy. I can feed off the fans.”

Williams became the Brewers’ closer in July 2022 after the club traded All-Star closer Josh Hader. He finished the year, his first as an All-Star, with a 1.93 ERA and 15 saves. In 2023, his first full season as a closer, Williams was an All-Star again and posted a 1.53 ERA with 36 saves in 61 appearances. He then missed the first four months of the 2024 season with a stress fracture in his back before returning in late July, pitching a 1.25 ERA with 14 saves and a 43.2% strikeout rate in 22 games.

His season, and his tenure with the Brewers, concluded in disappointing fashion when he allowed four runs in the ninth inning in the decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series against the New York Mets, including a three-run home run by Pete Alonzo.

Williams said he takes vacations abroad after most seasons. However, after the Brewers’ early playoff exit in October, he decided to stay in the United States and coincidentally spent 10 days in New York City. He visited the Museum of Modern Art and the American Museum of Natural History. He enjoyed the food scene. He realized that ten days were not enough to complete his tourist bucket list.

You will now have more time to explore the city. The question is whether his time in New York will extend beyond 2025. Williams, a free agent next offseason, said he is an option for a contract extension.

“I think if it’s the right thing for both parties, it’s definitely always an option,” Williams said. “Nothing has been discussed so far, so I can’t really comment too much on it.”