For all the bellyaching Yankees fans direct at Brian Cashman, there’s no denying the man can pull a rabbit of his hat every once in a while. Yes, every once in a while. We’ll give him that, but the effusive praise pretty much stops there. All in all, Cashman has kept this organization afloat, but has largely failed to make the over-the-top moves to thrust the Yankees into undisputed World Series contention. This offseason will once again give him the opportunity to do so after Juan Soto’s departure. Whether it’s aggressively out-bidding the opposition for top free agents or trade targets, there’s admitedly been a lot left to be desired, but the Yankees’ quest to return to dominance started with a bang this month when Cashman signed Max Fried to a record-breaking $218 million contract and then traded for Brewers closer Devin Williams. Fried’s deal became official on Tuesday and coincided with Williams’ introductory Zoom presser. The right-hander answered questions from the media and talked about how the trade ultimately came together, revealing an important piece of information. Williams thought he was headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers until the Yankees “snuck in” and provided the Brewers with the Nestor Cortes-Caleb Durbin package. Devin Williams said he thought he was going to L.A. but the Yankees “snuck in there under the table and got the deal done.” — Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) December 17, 2024 Devin Williams reveals Yankees stole him from Dodgers in trade talks Well, either that or the Brewers said, “We’re not making LA an even more powerful force in the NL, so here you go Yankees.” Yankees fans know that life very well after years and years of teams refusing to trade with Cashman (for both acceptable and ridiculous reasons). Williams went on to compliment the Yankees, saying there’s “no bigger team in baseball” and that he’d be open to contract extension talks if they made sense for both sides. Otherwise, he’s here and ready to contend for 2025, which is all anybody could ask for. And how about him donning the Cressey Sports Performance t-shirt?! Is that how the Yankees got the inside track? Devin Williams was at the gym when he found out he’d been traded to the Yankees:
Williams brings elite closing experience to the Yankees and some much-needed swing-and-miss (14/3 K/9), something the bullpen severely lacked in 2024 (eventually leading to their undoing). He’s entering his age-30 season, so he’s not an ideal extension candidate, although he only has three true full seasons under his belt (not counting the shortened 2020 and his abbreviated 2024 due to injuries). He should have a lot of runway ahead of him even if he’s entering his 30s. But we’re most thankful for Cashman interfering with the Dodgers’ business, something he’s failed to do for years as LA leaped in front of New York for various free agents and trade candidates. Do Teoscar Hernández next and we can start really celebrating.