Williams’ tenure with the Brewers is over
The Milwaukee Brewers have traded closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees, receiving left-handed starter Nestor Cortes, infielder Caleb Durbin, and cash considerations in the return, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
Confirmed: Yankees acquiring 2-time All-Star RHP Devin Williams from Brewers for LHP Nestor Cortes, IF Caleb Durbin and cash considerations
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) December 13, 2024
Williams, 30, spent six seasons with Milwaukee, debuting in 2019 before putting together an incredible shortened-2020 season, winning NL Rookie of the Year and NL Reliever of the Year as he sported an 0.33 ERA with 53 strikeouts across 27 innings.
After the departure of Josh Hader in mid-2022, Williams became the team’s primary closer, saving 65 games across 2022-2024, though he missed the first half of 2024 after surgery for stress fractures in his back.
In 22 appearances this season, Williams totaled 21 2⁄3 innings with 14 saves and 38 strikeouts, finishing with a 1.25 ERA and a 0.969 WHIP. Despite those numbers, the lasting memory of most fans is Williams’ final appearance in a Brewers uniform, when he allowed a go-ahead three-run homer to the Mets’ Pete Alonso in the ninth inning of a winner-take-all NL Wild Card game three in October.
A free agent after 2025, rumors have surrounded a deal for Williams all offseason.
The more familiar name in the return, Cortes is also 30 and has played across seven seasons with the Orioles, Mariners, and Yankees. HE was an All-Star in 2022 with a 2.44 ERA across 28 starts, striking out 163 over 158 1⁄3 innings.
He had an injury-plagued 2023, making just 12 starts with a 4.97 ERA before bouncing back with a 3.77 ERA across 31 games (30 starts) in 2024, finishing with 162 strikeouts over a career-high 174 1⁄3 innings.
Cortes is also a free agent after 2025. He’s projected to make $8.3 million this coming season, coming in just under Williams’ projected $8.4 million, per Spotrac.
Durbin, 24, was a 14th round pick by the Braves in 2021. He was traded to the Yankees in December 2022 for pitcher Lucas Luetge. In parts of four minor league seasons, Durbin has appeared in 281 games with a .269/.374/.407 line with 22 homers, 153 RBIs, 187 runs, and 110 steals and a 111:134 K:BB ratio.
He spent the bulk of 2024 with New York’s Triple-A affiliate, hitting .287/.396/.471 with 10 homers, 60 RBIs, 57 runs, and 29 steals with a 37:47 K:BB ratio across 82 games.
Durbin also appeared in 24 games during the Arizona Fall League, hitting .312/.427/.548 with five homers, 21 RBIs, 26 runs, and an AFL-record 29 steals. He added five doubles and a triple while also striking out just six times compared to 17 walks.
With the departure of Willy Adames, Durbin figures to fill in one of the infield gaps in 2025 for Milwaukee, as he has played at second base (151 games), third base (67 games), and shortstop (42 games) at various points in his minor league career. He’s also made nine appearances in left field and center field. His first appearance with Milwaukee will also mark his MLB debut.