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New York Yankees thought they had finally found their closer when they acquired two-time National League Reliever of the Year Devin Williams. On Sunday they closed him.
Coming in this season, Williams owned a 1.83 era in its first six MLB seasons, all with Milwaukee Brewers. This figure was the second best in Majors, behind only Emmanuel Clase (who also fights), and his 14.3 K/9 during this time was the fourth best.
But with Yankees he had allowed 10 earned races in his first eight laps of work, and after blowing a four-run lead and another rescue last week, New York announced that they took him out of that closer role.
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New York Yankees -Manager Aaron Boone takes the ball from Relief Pitcher Devin Williams during the ninth round against Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner-Preferred Pictures)
It is unknown territory for Williams in more ways than one, as the lecture in the Tri-State area is that Williams is another victim of the larger market.
However, his former Brewers teammate of Christian Yelich disagrees.
“Devin will be in order. He is one of the best closers in baseball. He has been doing it for a long time,” Yelich told Pakinomist Digital in a recent conversation.
“Something in a small sample size doesn’t really tell the true story. You have a tough excursion or two, all kinds get crooked. It’s hard to be a reliever when you only have a few laps early in the season and a few of them don’t go your way,” he added. “But he’s doing well. He knows what he’s coming in II New York. He’s beaten in a lot of big games. So I’m not worried about him. He’s well.”
New York Yankees Relief Pitcher Devin Williams goes off the field after being taken out of the game against Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth lap at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner-Preferred Pictures)
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Williams was especially not enthusiastic when he had to shave his beard, which became another springboard for owner Hal Steinbrenner, who trembled the long -standing politics that his father implemented in the 1970s.
Yelich agrees that Politics-Drop was a smart decision, but “we all got a good laugh at it with the breweries” when Williams had to shave.
Maybe it has added the pressure, but for Williams while not the only catalyst for the political change, it is safe to assume that he helped push it into the final zone.
Williams has also reportedly complained about the Media -Presence Room in Yankees’ clubhouse, which is certainly very different from his days in Milwaukee.
He seemed to have found it this month when he had consecutive three-up, three-down excursions. But since then it has been hard to see.
New York Yankees Relief Pitcher Devin Williams sits against Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth lap at PNC Park. (Charles Leclaire-Preferred Pictures)
Currently, Williams is not an option for high leverage, which is poor timing for him because he is in his last season before free agency.
Luke Weaver, who took on the closer role last year after Clay Holmes lost the job, has closed two games in the last week and has a 0.00 era in his 13 performances this season.
