The New York Yankees acquired Jake Bird, David Bednar and Camilo Doval at this year’s trade deadline. Those additions could mean the end for some other pitchers in their bullpen.
Luke Weaver and Devin Williams are both going to be free agents at the end of this year. Williams is a two-time All-Star and two-time Trevor Hoffman National League reliever of the Year. Weaver has been great in his time with the Yankees, becoming a key player last season.
However, with the Yankees’ recent additions all being under club control past this year, FanSided’s Stephen Parello predicted the Yankees would cut ties with both Williams and Weaver in the offseason.
New York Yankees/Getty Images
Williams was expected to be a star for the Yankees, but things have not worked out as planned. He has a 5.01 ERA and was removed from the closer’s role at one point this year. The Yankees did not hide their interest in replacing Williams, even though he remains in the closer’s role for now. Bednar and Doval are both All-Star closers.
“With two other relievers with ninth-inning experience now on the roster in David Bednar and Camilo Doval — both of whom are under team control beyond this season — the writing is on the wall for Williams,” wrote Parello. “He’ll survive the rest of the season, but he’s a surefire goner once he hits free agency.”
Weaver had a 2.89 ERA last season, and was great for the Yankees in October. He picked up four saves, finished 12 games and had a 1.76 ERA. This year he has a 3.02 ERA.
“Unfortunately, a 6.60 ERA since returning from the IL on June 20 has tanked what started off as a dominant season for Weaver, and now throws his future in doubt,” wrote Parello. “In addition to Bednar and Doval, the Yankees also acquired Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies, who, despite some real performance question marks, is under team control through 2028. That all makes for a crowded bullpen mix moving forward, and if Weaver commands too much money on the open market, he’ll likely find himself suiting up elsewhere in 2026.”
Weaver and Williams could have been a dominant duo in the Bronx, and looked the part at times. However, the Yankees have set themselves up to move on in the offseason.
More MLB: Scary Red Sox Injury Update Reveals Rookie’s Season Could Suddenly be Over