"Playoff choker we aren’t moved" - Fans react to Yankees acquiring Brewers' closer Devin Williams

The New York Yankees acquired closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers Friday per ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan. In exchange, The Athletic reported the Yankees sending left-handed starter Nestor Cortes and utility player Caleb Durbin to the Brewers.

Fans began voicing their concerns over the deal.

“Playoff choker we aren’t moved,” one fan posted on X.

“Another playoff choker to the Yankees,” this fan commented.

“This isn’t Kyle Tucker,” a fan wrote on social media.

Some fans made light of the trade instead of venting their frustration.

“And Yankee fans will still find a way to talk about Juan Soto,” a fan chimed in.

“I was saying to trade nestor for the washer machine and now you tell me we get Williams? Sold,” this fan weighed in.

“Can’t wait for the Astros to be his daddy in the Postseason just like they were with Chapman,” another fan opined.

Williams is best known for a changeup known as the “airbender.” The pitch has been widely considered Williams’ secret weapon as opponents’ batting average against the airbender was .167 in 2024. Opponents hit .097 against the pitch in 2023.

Yankees get All-Star closer for their next postseason run

Last season, the Yankees relied on Luke Weaver to be their closer. Weaver pitched in 62 games last season, going 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 84 innings. In the postseason last year, Weaver appeared in 12 games, posting a 1.76 ERA in 15.1 innings.

However, it seems the Yankees decided more late-inning talent was needed to close out games. During last season’s World Series, Yankees relievers blew a 3-2 lead in Game 1, and a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning of Game 5.

Williams joins the Yanks’ bullpen looking to solidify the back end of ballgames. He’s saved 68 career games with a high of 36 in 2023. Williams pitched in over 60 games in 2022 and 2023 but was limited to 22 appearances last season due to a stress fracture.

Williams has failed to show his prowess during the postseason. In three postseason appearances, Williams is 0-1 with a 23.14 ERA a 3.43 WHIP, fueling speculation about his lack of success in the playoffs.