The New York Yankees have already pivoted to one blockbuster addition since losing Juan Soto and more could be coming.
Just days after Soto agreed to a record-breaking $765 million deal with the New York Mets, the Yankees broke another record, agreeing to the largest deal for a left-handed pitcher in history by dishing out $218 million to Max Fried.
But if the Yankees want to return to the World Series in 2025 and emerge as the champions, they might need to do more. Naming the single deal that he thinks "will happen by the end of the year," MLB Network's Mark DeRosa predicted the Yankees would also add two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.
"Devin Williams pack your stuff, we're not staying in Milwaukee," DeRosa said. "Yourself and, I think, Luke Weaver are going to be in that Yankee bullpen throwing absolute bullets. Devin Williams to the Yankees makes a ton of sense for me."
Williams would have a chance to serve as the Yankees' closer in the 2025 season if he does head to the Bronx in a trade, but that seems to be less of a sure thing than it might have been last winter. Through the 2023 season, Williams earned two All-Star nods, two National League Reliever of the Year Awards, two seasons of Most Valuable Player Award votes and a Rookie of the Year Award.
But he opened this past season on the injured list and, though he posted 14 saves with a 1.25 ERA in 19 regular season games, he looked shaky in his highest-leverage appearances. In 1 2/3 innings of relief during the Brewers' National League Wild Card series with the New York Mets, Williams gave up four earned runs and posted a 21.60 ERA.
Still, entering his final season of arbitration eligibility, Williams is likely to be a highly sought trade chip. If the Yankees feel they can get him at a reasonable price, he might offer some intriguing potential alongside Weaver as a one-two punch in late innings. If it seems he has recaptured his 2023 form, Williams could very well be a World Series caliber closer for the Yankees in 2025.
