Latest news with #NationalLeagueRelieveroftheYearAwards
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees' Devin Williams Has Blunt Explanation for Latest Ninth-Inning Implosion
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An awful stretch for the New York Yankees met another low point on Monday night. Despite an imperfect early-game performance, the Yankees did enough to secure a 5-4 lead and hand the ball to closer Devin Williams in the bottom of the ninth inning. But Williams promptly allowed a game-tying home run to Texas Rangers pinch-hitter Joc Pederson, who entered with a .126 batting average. For Williams, it was the third blown save in 20 tries, but it upped his ERA on the season to 5.10. New York failed to score in the top of the 10th inning, then trade acquisition Jake Bird got two outs before allowing a back-breaking, walk-off three-run home run to Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 4: Joc Pederson #4 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on August 4,... ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 4: Joc Pederson #4 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on August 4, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by)The Yankees have lost four straight and now only hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Rangers for the final spot in the American League playoffs. "Things haven't been going well for a while," Williams said, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. "I think everyone's well aware of that." Williams hung an 84 mph change-up right down Broadway to Pederson, who has been one of the most disappointing acquisitions by any team this year in his own right, to breathe life back into the Rangers. "I'm trying to throw it down and away there, and missed middle -- and obviously, he did what he did," Williams said, per Dave Sessions of "This game and the last one, it was really one pitch that hurt me. But that's the difference between winning and losing sometimes, and I can't let that happen." The Yankees have continued to find soul-sucking ways to lose games, and there's not one player that starts and ends with. But Williams has to be considered one of the biggest disappointments of the season, as he arrived in town expecting to be the bullpen's savior. After two National League Reliever of the Year Awards and a 1.83 ERA in six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, it's stunning to see Williams struggle this much. And he'd better get a handle on those struggles quickly, because he could lose his closer job any given day now. More MLB: Insider's Joe Ryan Report Is Ultimate Red Sox Tease: 'Came Close'
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees, Devin Williams Could Agree to Part Ways Before Deadline, Insider Suggests
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. After yet another blockbuster offseason, the New York Yankees have a return to the World Series in their sights. The team recovered admirably after losing Juan Soto to the crosstown rival New York Mets, leveraging the salary it would have allocated to him to instead bring in Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and others. But one of the Yankees' most notable offseason acquisitions has been nothing short of disastrous. After winning two National League Reliever of the Year Awards and making two All-Star games in his six years with the Milwaukee Brewers, Devin Williams was poised to become the next great Yankees closer. Instead, he has a 10.03 ERA with 13 earned runs in his first 11 2/3 innings with the team and it's unclear how he might ever return to being a shutdown option in the Bronx. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Devin Williams #38 of the New York Yankees reacts after he is pulled from the game in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Devin Williams #38 of the New York Yankees reacts after he is pulled from the game in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 25, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 4-2. (Photo) More Elsa/Getty The debut has been so rough that Major League Baseball insider Joel Sherman suggested the Yankees could look to part ways with Williams before the trade deadline, noting that the pitcher will be looking for a new contract this winter. "I am starting to wonder, do they have to make an in-season trade of Devin Williams someplace else?" Sherman asked during a recent episode of "The Show" podcast. "It's his walk year and I think it's probably pretty clear that there's — of the 30 teams, the Yankees would not be at the top of the list, I would think, to stay. And he needs to get better to make some money... Am I crazy to think that he might not make it to the finish line with them?" It's fair to wonder if a parting of ways could be the best thing for both sides. There seems to be something about pitching in New York City that is affecting Williams and heading into free agency without an improvement would surely cost him. Sherman's co-host, Jon Heyman, cast some doubt on the idea, though. He noted the Yankees are probably still hoping for a bounce-back from Williams, given his talent, and that they'd be unlikely to receive a significant trade return. But if things don't get better on the mound, a significant change is called for. More MLB: Reds Place Tyler Callihan On Injured List, Recalled Triple-A Outfielder
