The New York Yankees made a few big moves to make up for the loss of Juan Soto last offseason. One of the moves they made was a trade for star Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams.
But Williams struggled mightily for the Yankees this season. Rather than dominate as he had for the past five years, Williams took a huge step backward in the Bronx. Now, the star is headed for a new contract in free agency, and experts have mixed opinions on how much he’ll sign for.
Zach Mentz of Cleveland.com recently projected Williams would sign a solid three-year, $51 million deal in free agency, which is one of the biggest contract projections Williams has been given this offseason.
“Williams struggled in his lone season in New York, being demoted from his closer role midseason,” Mentz wrote. “Nonetheless, the two-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year is likely to draw interest from a number of teams in seek of relief pitchers with high ceilings.”
It could be easy to write Williams off after last season, but it’s hard to ignore his success leading up to his year with the Yankees.
If Williams had replicated that dominance in the Bronx, he might be heading for a deal worth $80 million or $90 million this winter.
Still, seeing him sign a two or three-year contract worth just under $20 million a season wouldn’t be shocking. There are multiple teams in baseball who could be desperate enough to give a potential star closer that kind of money. It would be quite a risk, but it’s a risk worth taking for contenders in pursuit of a World Series title.
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