Yankees Predicted to Cut Bait with Two-Time All-Star After Disastrous Year

The New York Yankees’ bullpen is one of the biggest causes for fan anxiety heading into the postseason.

Both before and during the season, the Yankees made bold moves to try and beef up their bullpen. Somehow, nearly all of those moves seem to have backfired, though they do appear to have their new postseason closer in David Bednar thanks to a July trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Another trade for a fellow former two-time All-Star in the National League Central, however, has paid off far less handsomely.

Devin Williams came to the Yankees as arguably the most dominant reliever of the last five years, winning NL Reliever of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023. All he’s done since is post a 5.30 ERA and negative-0.6 wins above replacement in 61 appearances.

Baseball analyst and content creator Robbie Hyde has seen enough of Williams in a Yankees uniform. On Monday, Hyde predicted that the Yankees would let the slumping 30-year-old walk when he hits free agency this winter.

“It’s been a roller coaster of a year for Williams, being in the closer role, then being taken out after multiple blown saves,” Hyde said. “Even though the ERA is above five, … that FIP is still looking really good at a 2.95. That’s because he’s striking out a lot of batters.

“There are some good things with Devin Williams, and I think a team out there is gonna notice that, bring him in, and look to get him on the right track.”

Signing impact relief pitching in free agency is often a shot in the dark. This year alone, there have been monster deals that haven’t panned out, like Tanner Scott with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and one-year fliers that have paid off beautifully, like Aroldis Chapman with the Boston Red Sox.

Williams might be trending toward a one or two-year deal to rebuild his value, and it’s unlikely the Yankees will be willing to test the waters for a second year in a row. But the talent is undoubtedly still present.

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