The 2025 MLB season is shaping up to be the year of the underdogs. Teams that weren’t expected to contend are not just winning games —they’re taking down big payroll giants and shaking up the standings. Just after the Dodgers went down against the Rangers, the Rays pulled off another miracle against the Yankees, routing them by 10-8! What made things worse for the Yankees, the game exposed the vulnerability of their bullpen. However, Aaron Judge seems not to agree with this statement.
The route to devastation for the Yankees’ closing role started after their veteran closer, Clay Holmes, left for the Mets. Enter Devin Williams to the scene, an equally skilled and experienced closer to fill Holmes’ shoes.
It’s been a rough ride for Devin Williams in pinstripes so far, and Yankee fans have every reason to be frustrated. While he looked shaky against the Brewers in the opening game with a below-par velocity, the Saturday game exposed him to the fullest. He came in with a comfy 8-4 lead, then imploded, gave up 4 runs, and let the Rays tie it. The Yanks eventually lost in extras! However, the Yankees’ captain, Aaron Judge, is still confident in their new closer.
“We went out and got him for a reason. He’s the best closer in the game. We’ve got a long season. This guy’s gonna save a lot of ballgames for us and help us out. I’m not worried at all. He knows what he needs to do. He’ll go out there. He’ll figure it out. Everybody in this room wants him coming out of the bullpen, especially in a tight game.”
Aaron Judge on Devin Williams:
“We went out and got him for a reason. He’s the best closer in the game. We got a long season. This guy’s gonna save a lot of ballgames for us and help us out. I’m not worried at all. He knows what he needs to do. He’ll go out there. He’ll figure…
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) April 20, 2025
Well, Williams, known for his airbender, is still one of the most unhittable pitchers in baseball, with a whiff rate over 50%. His late movement made it deadly, especially to left-handed hitters! Last year, he got 91 SOs with a 1.89 ERA from 60 games. Impressive, isn’t it? This season, he played just 9 games for the Yankees, which makes for quite a small sample to determine his utility.
With that resume, it made total sense why Judge was rallying behind Williams even after a rough start. But the adjustment to the Yankees and AL lineups hasn’t been smooth till now.
Honestly, New York is no joke when it comes to scrutiny, and replacing a closer legend like Holmes isn’t easy. Williams came in with a reputation as one of the nastiest relievers in the game, but so far? It’s been a roller coaster. Will the Yankees opt for a replacement then? If yes, then who?
The Yankees’ limited bullpen choices
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s a little bump here early, and he’s got all the equipment to get through it.” While the captain and manager are confident in Williams, the Yankees would surely love to find support behind him, albeit with a limited choice. Luke Weaver is the frontrunner! He is quietly making a very strong case to take over as the Yankees’ closer if Devin Williams’ struggles continue.
Weaver in 2025 pitched in 11 innings, with only 2 hits allowed and 13 strikeouts, commanding both his fastball and secondary pitches with confidence, and showing real poise in late-inning spots. He was the first guy who took over for Holmes down the stretch in 2024 and excelled in the Yankees. So, if Weaver keeps up this level, it’s not a matter of if he gets the job — it’s when.
Ian Hamilton can be the next big thing in the bullpen for the Yankees. For starters, in the last two years, Hamilton was one of the Yankees’ most trusted bullpen arms, especially in tight, late-inning spots. He’s used to inheriting runners and getting clutch outs — the type of pressure moments that mimic a closer’s role. While not as flashy as Luke Weaver’s numbers, he has had a quietly solid season so far with a low ERA, good strikeout-to-walk numbers, and no blown leads.
So, it’s up to the fans to test their patience in checking about how the team is thinking with their bullpen. Would they continue with Williams, or is a new face coming soon?
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