Williams and the Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $8.6 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Williams was dealt to the Yankees earlier this offseason and has already been named the team's closer. Though he missed most of 2024 due to a back issue, he's maintained an ERA below 2.00 for each of the last three seasons while striking out at least 13.3 batters per nine innings in each of the last five campaigns. Williams will earn $1.6 million more than he did in 2024.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Williams will be the team's closer in 2025, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Boone indicated that Luke Weaver could receive the occasional save opportunity, but it's going to be Williams in the ninth inning when he's available. The announcement comes as no surprise, as Williams has been one of the game's best relievers since arriving in the big leagues, having collected a 1.83 ERA and 39.4 percent strikeout rate in six seasons.
The Yankees acquired Williams from the Brewers on Friday in exchange for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Williams was limited to just 21.2 regular-season innings in 2024 due to back problems, but he finished the year healthy and was his usual, dominant self when on the mound, posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB. He's set to make around around $8 million in 2025 in his final year of arbitration eligibility and will give the Yankees an upper echelon closer. Luke Weaver will shift to a setup role.
