NEW YORK — The response of closer Devin Williams to questions about the New York Yankees’ possible pitching trade hinted at deeper unease on Sunday. While he projected to maintain his focus on performance rather than front office decisions, his words convey insecurity, as the team evaluates bullpen additions before the deadline day.
Following the Yankees’ 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, Williams addressed his improved form and the unit’s recent bounce-back performance. When asked about expecting more moves before the July 31 deadline, the Yankees closer kept his response brief and professional.
On potential front-office moves, Williams made it clear: “I just show up and do my job. I’ll let [GM Brian] Cashman take care of that.”
Closer finds his groove after rough start
Williams has shown marked improvement since a poor start to the 2025 season, though his 6.35 ERA remains evidence that the Yankees could use additional bullpen help. The right-hander acknowledged feeling more confident in recent outings.
“I would say just, you know, pitching with confidence, conviction, and you know, for the most part executing what I want to do,” Williams explained when asked about his recent form.
Williams was demoted from the closer role on April 27 but was re-inserted as the closer in early June after showing improvement and Luke Weaver suffering an injury. His journey this season has been markedly different from his elite performance with Milwaukee, where he earned two National League Reliever of the Year awards.
Bullpen shows promise in recent performance
The Yankees bullpen delivered a strong collective effort against Philadelphia, with Williams noting the positive impact on unit confidence.
After starter Rodon exited in the sixth, relievers Jonathan Loaisiga, Luke Weaver, Tim Hill, and Williams combined to retire 11 consecutive batters. The closer sealed his 16th save with a 1‑2‑3 ninth, extending a hot streak amid his impressive 2.28 ERA over his last 29 outings.
“Yeah, I mean sometimes all you need to do is, you know, have things go go your way one time and be able to get on a little bit of a roll there,” Williams said. “You know, it was nice to see everyone putting up zeros today.”
Despite that success, the Yankees’ bullpen has underperformed overall. Prior to Sunday, the unit fit 22nd in MLB with a 4.28 ERA, prompting continued consideration for reinforcement. Manager Aaron Boone praised the effort but acknowledged that the underlying issues remain.
With Williams’ shakiness and Weaver’s injury, the Yankees could certainly benefit from adding another high-leverage reliever to the mix.
Trade deadline considerations
The Yankees acquired Williams from Milwaukee in December in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes, infielder Caleb Durbin, and cash considerations. The move was designed to solidify the back end of their bullpen after losing Clay Holmes to the Mets in free agency.
General Manager Brian Cashman has historically been aggressive at trade deadlines, and the team’s championship aspirations suggest they will explore all options to strengthen their relief corps.
Williams’ struggles are particularly concerning given Luke Weaver’s failure to bounce back following left hamstring strain that sidelined him for a month or more. This creates additional urgency for the Yankees to consider external options.
New addition making impact
Williams praised recent acquisition Ryan McMahon, who has provided immediate contributions to the team.
“He looks great so far,” Williams said of McMahon. “You know, hopefully he continues it. I’ve obviously played against him in the past. I know he’s a good player and, you know, I’m happy to have him here.”
Williams under pressure
The 2025 season marks Williams’ walk year, which means the Yankees acquired him with one year of team control remaining. This timeline adds pressure for both the player and organization to maximize the partnership’s potential.
Williams’s approach remains straightforward despite the surrounding speculation about roster moves. His commitment to focusing on performance rather than front office machinations reflects a veteran mindset as the Yankees pursue their championship goals.
The Yankees face a critical three-day window before the July 31 deadline to determine whether their current bullpen construction can support a deep playoff run. Williams’ recent improvement provides optimism, but the organization’s championship standards may still drive additional moves.
For now, Williams continues to do what he’s always done – show up and do his job, leaving the roster decisions to management while working to recapture the dominant form that made him one of baseball’s premier closers.
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