Yankees news: Yanks get Devin Williams

FanGraphs | Ben Clemens: The Yankees’ big news yesterday was the team’s acquisition of two-time NL Reliever of the Year Devin Williams from the Brewers in exchange for lefty Nestor Cortes and second baseman Caleb Durbin. Clemens praises “The Airbender,” Williams’ unique screwball/changeup hybrid that has given him a 1.83 ERA and a 39.4 percent strikeout rate over his six-year career. He also describes in detail what the Yankees lost; the crafty left-hander Cortes and Durbin, a 5-foot-10 speedster who can play all over the field. Clemens completes this deal, which represents the ultimate win-win situation for two teams that each have very different competitive formulas.

New York Post | Peter Botte: The other big MLB move from yesterday was the Cubs acquiring Kyle Tucker. The Yankees reportedly had the right fielder in place but were unwilling to part with Luis Gil and others, including shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr., as part of a potential deal. Tucker gives Chicago a glut of outfielders and opens the door for the Yankees to trade for two-time All-Star Cody Bellinger. Bellinger, whose father Clay was a reserve outfielder for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, has two years and $52.5 million left on his contract, some of which the Yankees presumably want the Cubs to cash in on in any trade .

The Athlete | Chris Kirschner: Another potential target for the Yankees is free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. The long-time Astro would fill an area of ​​need in the infield, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. sliding into second. Yankees GM Brian Cashman admitted to having “a conversation or two” with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, about his client. It’s unclear whether the two-time All-Star’s role in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scheme, which Cashman has repeatedly denounced, will be a stumbling block to him landing in pinstripes.

FanGraphs| Dan Szymborski: Szymborski breaks down his proprietary ZiPS predictions for the Yankees and expects them to win games in the high 80s or low 90s next year (ZiPS projects the Orioles to perform at a similar level in the East ). First base and DH are considered the biggest red flags on the roster, with young players Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells expected to continue to develop into strong starters at shortstop and catcher. Notably, this projection was released before the Williams trade, with Durbin expected to receive multiple seasons at second and Cortes being used as a bullpen arm.

MLB trade rumors | Darragh McDonald: The Yankees have signed right-handed pitcher Wilking Rodríguez to a minor league contract. Rodríguez, who turns 35 before next season, played two games for the Royals in 2014 before spending nearly a decade in Venezuelan and Mexican leagues. The Yankees signed Rodríguez once before, in 2022, but he was poached by the Cardinals in this year’s Rule 5 draft. Rodríguez is reportedly healthy and hitting a top speed of 97 mph in winter ball after being limited by injuries the past two seasons.