The New York Yankees acquired Devin Williams thinking he would be the closer. However, he has been removed from the closer’s role twice now, and with David Bednar now in the picture, Williams does not seem likely to regain the job.
Williams was a two-time All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers and was arguably the best closer in baseball. He struggled to start the year, was removed from the closer role, got the job back, pitched well and then once again struggled. However, Williams is starting to show shades of dominance once again now.
In his last seven innings entering Monday, he had not allowed an earned run and had given up just one hit. He had 15 strikeouts in that span. He has been serving in a setup role for Bednar and has been used in extra innings. Aaron Boone spoke on Williams’ success despite his removal from the closer role.
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“It’s really good to see him continue to pitch really well around a lot of things that have gone on this year,” Boone said, per the New York Post’s Dan Martin. “It’s a credit to him and the quality of pitcher he is, but (also) the fortitude of just ‘keep going’ because, certainly, that’s what he’s capable of.”
“There were just a couple (bad) outings there off a couple (good) months,” Boone continued, per Martin. “But it’s on the heels of the start of the season. He’s a great pitcher and has been for a long time. This is what he’s capable of. He just has to continue to have a presence with his fastball and changeup and being in the zone with it. If he does that, he’s gonna be successful.”
Williams started off the season with an 11.25 ERA in his first 10 games. That’s when the team turned to Luke Weaver to close games. Weaver went on the Injured list on June 3, when Williams started to close games again. Williams pitched well until the end of July. He had a 2.89 ERA in 19 games before blowing a save on July 30 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
His next outing was another blown save, which is when the Yankees pretty much decided to give the closer’s job to Bednar. Williams is going to be a free agent after the season, and the Yankees have plenty of reason to let him walk. He did not end up being the closer the team hoped for, but he can still succeed as a set up man before he hits the open market.
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