Think of the buzz in the Bronx: the Yankees land Devin Williams! This wasn’t just some pitcher; this was the guy who, in Milwaukee, stepped up like a star after Josh Hader’s 2022 trade. Williams didn’t just fill shoes; he owned them, with that unbelievable “Airbender” changeup that hitters just couldn’t touch. We’re talking two Reliever of the Year awards—pure dominance. So, when the Yankees spent $8.6 million last winter, we all thought they’d bought a ninth-inning guarantee. But this New York story encountered some seriously unexpected and bumpy air pockets.
Williams’ season was already concerning heading into his May 5th start against the Padres. The pitcher who had a 1.70 earned-run average in Milwaukee from 2020 to 2024 had shockingly allowed 13 earned runs in his first 11.2 Yankees innings. This inflated his ERA to a startling 10.03. Against San Diego, entering with a 3-0 lead in the eighth, he recorded just two outs. Williams walked two and allowed a single, loading the bases before his exit. Those inherited runners scored, sealing another Yankees loss.
After this latest meltdown, Williams pointed to the mound conditions. “I was battling myself there with the landing spot,” he stated to reporters. He mentioned the rain-soaked mound multiple times, adding, “It was tough to control the fastball today.” While acknowledging everyone faced the same circumstances, he said, adding, “I couldn’t figure it out with the release point on my fastball.” Despite his recent struggles, Williams felt he was improving, saying, “It’s one of those nights where you’re not only battling the hitter; I was battling the mound.”
These on-and-off-field issues only fuel trade rumors. St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley immediately emerges as an attractive option. Helsley impressively led Major League Baseball with 49 saves in 2024, posting a dominant 2.04 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 66.1 innings, striking out 79 batters and earning the NL Reliever of the Year award. His performance was strong enough to garner a ninth-place finish in NL Cy Young voting. While his 2025 numbers showed a slight early dip with an ERA around 3.46-4.09, he remains a high-velocity, proven closer.
And what’s the Cardinals’ viewpoint? It looks like Helsley will be good to go. He is in his final year of arbitration, with an $8.2 million deal for 2025. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season. Crucially, the St. Louis Cardinals have entered a “reset” or “transition” phase and are performing poorly (16-19 record, 4th place in NL Central as of early May ). In a situation like this, trading expiring contracts like Helsley’s is a logical move to acquire future assets. Multiple reports describe Helsley’s trade as a “fait accompli”—a foregone conclusion.
Evaluating the Yankees’ internal Options
If the Helsley deal doesn’t work out, the Yankees have a few internal alternatives. Luke Weaver has emerged as the closer and is performing well with a 0.00 ERA over his first 15 innings. Fernando Cruz boasts an electric 40% strikeout rate in a setup role. Ian Hamilton also provides solid middle relief for the team. These are promising arms, but they lack the established elite closer resume that the Yankees initially sought in Devin Williams.
And most importantly, acquiring a player of Helsley’s caliber, even as a rental, will require a substantial prospect package. Trade proposals suggest the Yankees might need to offer multiple Top-30 prospects. One commonly cited package involves LHP Brock Selvidge (Yankees’ No. 8 prospect), INF Jorbit Vivas (Yankees’ No. 19 prospect), and RHP Greysen Carter (No. 28 prospect). An alternative proposal mentioned RHP Will Warren (Yankees’ #4/5 prospect ), Selvidge, and OF Francisco Vilorio (Yankees’ #14/27 prospect). The price is steep.
Overall, the Yankees’ pitching staff is a mixed bag this season. Their team ERA is about 3.62 (10th in MLB), and they have the lowest hits allowed. Solid strikeout totals also rank them near the top (4th/5th). However, walks have been a problem, with the team hovering near the bottom of the league (27th). Aces Gerrit Cole and starters Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt have been out with injuries. This creates extra stress on remaining pitchers like Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, though they are spectacular throughout the season.
Now the question remains: Can the Yankees solidify their bullpen for a deep October run, or will this unexpected problem derail their aspirations?
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