The New York Yankees face several decisions regarding some of the club’s key players. One of these veterans is 2-time All-Star pitcher Devin Williams.
The former Rookie of the Year had an inconsistent 2025, but the pitcher is still generating buzz in MLB free agency. Sports Illustrated’s Will Laws and Nick Selbe offered predictions for the top MLB free agents.
Williams sits as the No. 24 ranked free agent in MLB, per SI. The analysts project Williams will bolt the Yankees for the Chicago Cubs.
“The Yankees traded for Williams with the expectation he’d be the team’s shut-down closer,” Laws and Selbe wrote in a November 7, 2025, story titled, “MLB Free Agent Rankings and Signing Predictions.” “Instead, the two-time All-Star got off to a calamitous start to the year that left him with a 5.01 ERA and out of ninth-inning duties by the end of July.
“But the underlying numbers show that Williams hasn’t lost any of his elite-level stuff. There’s risk here, of course (we’re talking about relief pitchers, after all), but if Williams can successfully hit the reset button after the most tumultuous season of his otherwise very successful career, he’ll end up being a steal.”
Let’s dive into the latest Yankees rumors and news as MLB free agency heats up.
MLB Rumors: Dodgers Interested in Poaching Yankees Pitcher Devin Williams
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly also offered predictions for the top MLB free agents. The analyst predicted the veteran pitcher would bolt the Yankees to sign a one-year, $13 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. With the Braves re-signing Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta is now an unlikely landing spot for Williams.
One team that appears to be interested in Williams is the Los Angeles Dodgers, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. There are plenty of Yankees fans eager for the Williams era to be over in New York, but it appears MLB teams have not been scared away by Williams’ sizable 4.71 ERA in 2025.
“Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes affirmed Tuesday that the Dodgers could sign a reliever as they ramp up for a potential three-peat,” Ardaya wrote in a November 11, article titled, “Dodgers seek a leverage reliever and Devin Williams emerges as a target: Sources.” “Candidates include at least one familiar target already clear at this week’s annual general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, sources said: two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams.
“The Dodgers had been in the mix to trade for Williams last winter before the Milwaukee Brewers shipped him to the New York Yankees. Williams even said in his introductory news conference with New York, ‘I kind of thought I’d be going to L.A,’” Ardaya continued.
“… Now, there appears to be mutual interest between the two sides early in Williams’ first foray into free agency.”
The Yankees Are Targeting Pitchers in MLB Free Agency
As for the Yankees, fans can expect the club to target pitching depth and infielders. There is also the saga of Cody Bellinger’s future as the Yankees attempt to re-sign the star amid plenty of opposing teams showing an interest.
“Hopefully, health blesses us in the rotation in the early portion of February, March and April,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, per The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty. “But you can’t count on that.
“We’ll be exploring how to protect ourselves so we’re not taking on water early because our rotation is compromised out of the gate.”
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