Boone, Rodon back Williams against Yankees fans, but it’s more saving own skin

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Boone, Rodon Stand by Williams, as his latest outing causes widespread Yankees fan outrage.

NEW YORK — The anger at Yankee Stadium was impossible to ignore. Devin Williams, once among the most dominant relievers in baseball, trudged off the mound after another collapse, his ERA swelling into double digits and his confidence seemingly unraveling with it. But in the aftermath of Monday night’s meltdown against the Padres, two figures emerged with vocal support for the embattled reliever—manager Aaron Boone and left-hander Carlos Rodon.

Their defense wasn’t just about protecting a teammate. It may have revealed something deeper about the internal dynamics of the 2025 New York Yankees—a team currently grasping at stability amid underperformance and rising fan frustration.

Reliever under siege from Yankees fans

Devin Williams entered the season with high expectations. Acquired to reinforce a Yankees bullpen already among the most versatile in the league, the 29-year-old was viewed as a high-leverage arm, if not a closer. But 11⅔ innings into his Bronx tenure, Williams has surrendered 13 earned runs—matching his combined total over 80⅓ innings in 2023 and 2024 with Milwaukee. That number now ranks as the second-worst single-season total of his career, and it’s only early May.

On May 5, facing the Padres, Williams again faltered. After striking out the first batter, he issued a walk to former Yankee Tyler Wade, allowed a broken-bat single to ex-Yankees minor leaguer Brandon Lockridge, and struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. with a vintage changeup. But then, in a critical moment, he lost the strike zone entirely—walking Luis Arraez on four pitches and prompting manager Aaron Boone to pull him from the game.

The sequence flipped a 3-0 Yankees lead into a 4-3 loss, and Yankees fans up in arms against Williams.

Boone stands with Williams—but equally responsible

Despite Williams’ ongoing struggles, Boone didn’t flinch when questioned postgame. His comments offered support but also revealed a calculated tone that suggested more than just sympathy.

“Um, look, I think once he gets righted and really starts to string them together, as great as he’s been will show up. And then you start building real confidence, because you’re dialed and you have the ability to dominate. So we just gotta continue to stack those, and it doesn’t necessarily happen overnight when you go through it a little bit. And we all go through it a little bit. We all go through tough times and stretches in this game, and he’ll get through it.” Boone said.

But Boone wasn’t just defending Williams—he was defending his decision to even put him in the game.

Fernando Cruz had just needed two pitches to get out of the seventh inning after 6⅔ shutout frames from Rodon. Boone acknowledged that he considered letting Cruz continue, but ultimately said, “It was just set up for Devin there,” citing rest management concerns after Cruz pitched two innings Saturday.

“Wanting to not overdo it there [with Cruz] and keep everyone in play here moving forward, too,” Boone defended his choice.

That admission only fueled fans’ frustration. On social media, many questioned Boone’s judgment, especially given Williams’ recent demotion from the closer role and ongoing mechanical issues.

Rodon to the rescue: Experience breeds empathy

Carlos Rodon knows what it’s like to be under siege in pinstripes. After a disastrous 2023 season marred by injury and inconsistency, he was the target of constant criticism. This year, he’s changed the narrative, becoming one of the Yankees’ most reliable starters with a string of strong performances.

So when Williams took the mound and lost the lead Monday, Rodon wasn’t angry—he was empathetic.

“I’ve been through it,” Rodón said. “I know what that feels like. It’s not easy. But we acquired him for a reason. He’s such a great pitcher.”

His words carried more than compassion. They also pointed to a broader team reality: the Yankees have invested in Williams, and their success in 2025 may hinge on whether he can recover mentally and mechanically. With a 10.05 ERA, a blown save, and 10 walks, Williams’ production has been indefensible on paper. But Rodón believes the solution lies in confidence, not coaching changes.

“He just needs to build that confidence,” he said. “He’s so good. He’s tremendous. He has an unbelievable changeup.”

Rodón’s message was also practical. “Just go out there and pitch with some swagger,” he advised. “They’ll boo you, sure, but they’ll love you when you do well too.”

A tipping point in the Bronx

The Williams saga speaks to a larger tension within the Yankees’ 2025 season. At 19–16, they remain atop the AL East. But they’ve dropped three of their last four series and are struggling in close games, holding a 6–12 record in contests decided by two runs or fewer—the fourth-worst mark in baseball.

The bullpen, once a strength, is being stretched thin by a rotation still waiting for full health from Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, and Gerrit Cole. Boone has been forced to manage with caution, often turning to his relievers earlier than planned. But his decision to trust Williams in such a high-leverage situation—even after a turbulent start to his Yankees tenure—may have crossed a line with the fanbase.

Complicating matters is Williams’ own admission. He acknowledged mechanical problems tied to his landing spot and release point but insisted, “I’m not giving up.”

Boone, under constant scrutiny himself, may be using Williams as a proxy to keep control of the narrative. Rodón, now a clubhouse leader, could be aiming to model emotional composure for a team still finding its identity.

Still, actions matter more than words. And as the Yankees prepare for a pivotal stretch, the pressure to fix Williams—or replace his innings—is only growing.

Until then, the message from within remains one of faith.

“He’s going to get through it,” Boone said. “We all go through tough times and stretches in this game. He’ll be fine.”

The fans may not agree yet. But in the Bronx, forgiveness tends to follow dominance. For Williams, that redemption needs to begin soon.

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