In Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, the New York Yankees have two of the best late-inning relief pitchers in Major League Baseball.
Both players reach free agency at the end of the 2025 season, and there’s been minimal discussion about either signing an extension to this point. When asked about staying with the Yankees past this season last week, Williams responded, “That’s really not up to me. They’re the ones that would have to offer me a contract, but I’m open to anything.”
If the Yankees don’t envision a reunion with Williams next year, there’s a chance they could find next season’s closer sooner rather than later. There’s potential for Weaver to once again step into the closer’s role for New York if he returns in 2026.
MLB Insider Links Yankees to 14.4 K/9 Flamethrower
The New York Yankees are one of the many teams that will attempt to upgrade their bullpen before the July 31 trade deadline.
Jonathan Loaisiga has a 9.53 ERA in July, allowing six earned runs in 5.2 innings. He’s already given up a career-high seven home runs in 24.2 innings. Tim Hill and Scott Effross both feature funky deliveries, but neither is a strikeout pitcher. The punchouts primarily came from splitter specialist Fernando Cruz, but he’s been on the 15-day injured list since the end of June with a left oblique strain.
Should the Yankees seek more swing and miss stuff, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal believes the Athletics may be more open to trading closer Mason Miller than they were last year.
“A year ago, Athletics closer Mason Miller was untouchable. To this point, the Aâs messaging this season â weâre not talking about him â is pretty much the same,” Rosenthal wrote on Monday. “But according to sources briefed on the teamâs plans, that stance is subject to change.”
“The way the Aâs see it, only a few teams are bold enough to propose an offer for Miller worthy of consideration. General manager David Forst might engage those teams as the deadline nears. But for now, he appears willing to let them grow more desperate.”
Rosenthal briefly mentioned the Yankees as a team to watch if there were a bidding war for Miller. He noted that Williams and Weaver are impending free agents.
The Asking Price for Miller
Miller’s recent success and the amount of time remaining on his contract make him a valuable trade target, but also an expensive one.
“Still, the Aâs asking price for Miller would figure to be exorbitant. Miller, 26, is earning $765,000 this season, just $5,000 above the league minimum, then is under club control for four additional seasons through salary arbitration,” added Rosenthal. “His expected 2.84 ERA is well below his actual 4.04 mark, thanks in part to a 40.1 percent strikeout rate that was in the top 1 percent of the league.”
Despite an elevated ERA, Miller is averaging 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings, the exact amount he averaged in 2024 when he finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
The New York Yankees may avoid overpaying for a closer if they have a gut feeling one of Weaver or Williams, or both, will re-sign for next season. However, acquiring a talent like Miller may be too good an opportunity to pass on if the price is right.
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