Devin Williams entered the 2025 season with huge expectations after joining the New York Yankees, but what was once seen as a move to solidify their bullpen has turned into one of the biggest talking points of the year. The two-time All-Star and former NL Rookie of the Year has struggled to find consistency, leaving fans and analysts questioning what comes next for his career.
Table of Contents
Key Points Summary 📝
- Trade to Yankees created high expectations for Devin Williams.
- ERA has climbed above 5.00 with multiple blown saves.
- Lost his closer role after repeated late-inning struggles.
- Flashes of dominance remain, with strong strikeout numbers.
- Free agency ahead could shift his career trajectory.
The Trade That Promised Stability
When the Yankees acquired Devin Williams before the 2025 season, it was viewed as a masterstroke. The right-hander brought with him one of the most unique pitches in baseball—his famous “Airbender” changeup—and a track record of dominance with the Milwaukee Brewers. His resume included elite strikeout rates, a sparkling ERA across multiple seasons, and the reputation of being nearly unhittable in big moments.
Fans believed the Yankees had secured their ninth-inning answer for years to come. Instead, the reality has been far more turbulent.
Struggles on the Mound
Williams’s Yankees campaign has been plagued by inconsistency. His ERA has ballooned beyond 5.00, a stark contrast to the low-2.00s mark that made him one of the game’s most reliable relievers in Milwaukee. Blown saves have piled up, with several high-profile late-inning collapses drawing frustration from the fanbase.
Some key struggles this season:
- Multiple blown saves in divisional matchups.
- Late-inning home runs allowed in pressure situations.
- Loss of command with his signature changeup, leading to untimely walks.
His once-automatic dominance has been replaced by uncertainty whenever he takes the mound. While strikeouts still come in bunches—his K/9 remains among the better marks in the league—the damage done by walks and poorly located pitches has overshadowed his flashes of brilliance.
Demotion From the Closer Role
The Yankees entered the season with Williams locked in as the closer, but his struggles forced a change. After blowing several critical saves, the coaching staff shifted him out of the ninth-inning role. He has since been used in a mix of middle and late relief appearances, often depending on matchups.
This demotion is significant because it highlights just how far his stock has fallen in only a few months. For a pitcher once regarded as the future of elite bullpen arms, the setback has been both surprising and disappointing.
Brief Signs of Recovery
Despite his struggles, Williams has not been entirely without positives. In mid-August, he delivered back-to-back strong outings, including a high-leverage save where he struck out the side. In his last handful of appearances, he has posted a stretch without allowing an earned run, suggesting that there may still be hope for a turnaround.
Pitching mechanics analysts point to his arm angle and release point as possible explanations for the inconsistency. When his delivery is in sync, his changeup regains its devastating fade, and hitters still swing through it at elite rates. The challenge for Williams is sustaining that rhythm over weeks rather than just isolated games.
Free Agency on the Horizon
Perhaps the biggest storyline surrounding Devin Williams now is his upcoming free agency. For the first time in his career, he will test the open market after this season. The Yankees’ willingness to keep him is far from certain, given the disappointing results and the heavy criticism surrounding the trade that brought him to New York.
Potential landing spots could include teams looking for a rebound candidate at a lower price. His underlying talent and past success ensure that clubs will be interested, but the value of his next contract will hinge heavily on whether he can finish the season strong.
A Career at a Crossroads
The tale of Devin Williams in 2025 is one of sharp contrast. On one hand, he remains a pitcher with undeniable talent, an All-Star track record, and a pitch that still ranks among the nastiest in the sport. On the other hand, the Yankees experiment has been a glaring disappointment, and his role has diminished dramatically.
The question now is whether this is a temporary slump or the start of a long-term decline. At just 30 years old, Williams is not past his physical prime. That fact alone gives him a window to reinvent himself and recapture his dominance. For now, though, his immediate future is clouded with uncertainty.
Table: Devin Williams 2025 Season Snapshot
| Category | 2025 Performance | Career Standard |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | Over 5.00 | Around 2.40 |
| Strikeouts | Still strong, K/9 among top 20 | Elite |
| Walks | Higher than career average | Moderate |
| Saves | 18 | 30+ capability |
| Role | Reliever, not consistent closer | Established closer |
Closing Thoughts
Devin Williams’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster that few predicted. What was expected to be a defining chapter in his career has instead become a season filled with doubt, struggles, and speculation about what comes next. Whether he finishes strong and regains some trust or heads into free agency with more questions than answers will be one of the most intriguing bullpen storylines to watch.
For now, fans can only wait and wonder: is this the beginning of a comeback story, or the end of Williams’s run as one of baseball’s most feared relievers?
If you’ve been following his journey, share your thoughts—can Devin Williams bounce back, or has his best already passed him by?