The Bronx Bombers might still be swinging for the fences. But when it comes to protecting a lead, they’ve been leaving the door wide open. Just check their recent stats, and you will see how dire things are! For instance, July has been nothing short of a nightmare for the Yankees’ bullpen. They posted a league-worst 7.10 ERA, ranking dead last in the AL, with every outing feeling like a tightrope walk over a pit of fire. So, while the collapse is collective, one name has quickly become the lightning rod for frustration: Devin Williams.
Once the Brewers’ untouchable closer and the 2023 NL Reliever of the Year, Williams, arrived in pinstripes carrying sky-high expectations. But instead of dominance, fans have watched him unravel. He has allowed eight runs in just four innings over his last five appearances, and a 5.73 ERA on the season. Was this just bad luck, or did the Yankees gamble on the wrong arm? If the chatter on MLB Radio is to be believed, the blame rests squarely in the Bronx.
“Williams is an emotional player and seemed broken after that Alonso homer last Oct, the last place he should have gone was NY. The Yankees FO should have done their homework on him,” MLB insider Bobby Milone quoted MLB Radio.
MLB Radio nailed it this morning
“Williams is an emotional player and seemed broke after that Alonso homer last Oct, the last place he should have gone was NY, The Yankees FO should have done their homework on him”
— Bobby Milone (@BobbyMilone29) August 10, 2025
Remember Pete Alonso’s dramatic, game-winning homer off Williams on October 3, 2024, in Game 3 of the Mets-Brewers Wild Card Series? Well, that swing didn’t just end the Brewers’ season; it seemed to mark the start of a rough stretch for Williams. Notably, from that point forward, he never quite looked like his dominant self.
Through May of this year, he carried an ugly 10.03 ERA. By then, he had already surrendered as many runs as he gave up in the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons combined. Hence, it was a sharp and very public drop in performance. This is why, looking back, when the Yankees pulled the trigger on the trade for him last December, they probably should have recognized the signs that his stock was heading south fast. Instead, they signed him for $8.6 million for one year, and the rest you know…
For the unversed, until 2024, Williams was one of the Brewers’ most reliable bullpen arms. Last year, despite missing the early part of the season with a back injury, he still put up a 1.25 ERA with 14 saves over 22 regular-season games. But after being dealt to the Yankees in a payroll-driven move last December, things have unraveled. Now, he’s sitting on a 5.73 ERA and has racked up two blown saves and two losses in just his last four appearances. So, what’s next?
The man still got the Yankees’ back
“Not making pitches. It’s pretty simple. I stink right now,” Williams admitted his rough outing after blowing off against the Rangers! But is that enough? Well, things are surely getting tougher for Williams in the Yankees.
There are increasing calls for Aaron Boone to pull Williams from the closer role. Fans and analysts alike point out that the Yankees have other capable arms like Luke Weaver, David Bednar, and Camilo Doval, who could be trusted with high-leverage situations. So, on paper, it seems like an easy switch. But in reality, the Yankees appear committed to giving Williams more chances. The main reason is a lack of alternatives that they truly trust in that role. Why?
When a bullpen doesn’t have a clear, proven replacement who can consistently handle ninth-inning pressure, managers often choose to ride it out with the struggling closer rather than reshuffle the late-game hierarchy midseason. That’s exactly the calculation Boone seems to be making.
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA New York Yankees at Texas Rangers Aug 5, 2025 Arlington, Texas, USA New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams 38 reacts during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Arlington Globe Life Field Texas USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKevinxJairajx 20250805_krj_aj6_00000122
For instance, Friday night’s game against the Astros was a perfect example. In the 10th inning of a tied 2-2 game, Boone handed the ball to Williams despite his recent rough patch. But the gamble didn’t pay off. Williams allowed three runs, turning the tie into a 5-2 deficit and eventually a 5-3 loss. “We’re kind of short down there at that point,” Boone said.
Afterward, the Yankees’ manager defended the move. As per Boone, the bullpen was short on options that night, which left him little choice but to stick with Williams in that moment. Hence, it’s a telling sign that, for now, the Yankees are willing to absorb the bumps in the road in hopes their closer can find his form again.
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