The Yankees have reportedly acquired one of the best bullpen arms in the game in Devin Williams, sending Nestor Cortes and prospect Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee to bolster New York’s bullpen.
After bringing back Jonathan Loaisiga, the Yanks now swap Clay Holmes for Williams after Holmes signed with the Mets, and Brandon Tierney is all in on the acquisition.
“I think this is an amazing move here,” BT said. “You slot [Luke] Weaver in the eighth inning and Williams in the ninth inning...it’s a seven inning game, and the Yankees have a surplus of dominant arms. You’re gonna already shorten the game where pitching is gonna have a really good presence.
“I was intrigued by Durbin. Nestor, I respected him, but he was average. Yankees lose nothing by trading Cortes. Overachiever, I respect him, but I’m not gonna miss him at all.”
The Yanks have now gone all in on pitching since losing one of their key bats in Juan Soto, as the Williams deal comes after reportedly signing starter Max Fried to an eight-year deal. The offense will need to be addressed, as Durbin was seen as a candidate to replace free agent Gleyber Torres at second base, but looking ahead, BT wonders if this move paves the way for the Yankees to address that in the form of another trade with an NL Central squad.
“If the Yankees do get [Cody] Bellinger, I think they find a way to get Nico Hoerner,” BT said. “Who is their second baseman, won a Gold Glove, and has stolen bases at the major league level.”
The Yanks have reportedly discussed trading for Bellinger, who would bring a solid lefty bat to the Bronx that can at least soften the blow of Soto’s departure, while Hoerner, who is signed through 2026, was a league-average bat last season in terms of OPS+, but he swiped over 30 bases for a second straight season and won a Gold Glove as recently as 2023.
As for the move that is already in motion, BT says it warrants a standing ovation for the Yankees front office.
“I think it’s very smart,” BT said. “When the Yankees have won championships, their bullpens have been lockdown. I think there’s a lot more moves to come. Love what Brian Cashman did here.”