In just one day, the New York Yankees 2025 bullpen went from a big question mark to taking shape.
The acquisition of Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers not only gives them a legitimate closer, but also much-needed depth at the back of the bullpen.
Heading into what will likely be the final week of moves before the front offices shut down for the holidays, here is what the Yankees bullpen looks like and needs.
Most notably, the Yankees currently do not have a lefty in their bullpen. Could that mean they go out and sign a high-priced closer like Tanner Scott? That would go with their trend of beefing up run prevention (pivoting from Juan Soto to pitching) and they’ve tried it before in 2019 with Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton.
It seems unlikely. Since 2020, when they hired pitching coach Matt Blake, they tend to go for cheaper reclamation-type pitchers that he can fix.
Williams gives the Yankees a nasty strikeout closer to replace Clay Holmes, who left via free agency to try his hand at starting again with the Mets. That means that Luke Weaver, their emergency closer at the end of 2024, slides back into his role as a multiple-inning reliever and/or set-up man.
The Yankees also brought back Jonathan Loaisiga, who, when healthy, has the potential to be a back-end of the bullpen guy. His sinker had the Yankees considering him as a potential future closer at one time.
Coming off 2024 Tommy John surgery, however, Loaisiga will have to work his way back to that after an expected April return.
The Yankees have middle-inning arms coming back in Ian Hamilton, Mark Leiter, Jr., and Jake Cousins, who distinguished himself as an arm with potential to watch in 2025.
Leiter also had some big outs in the postseason to earn some trust heading into next season. Hamilton was injured and struggled and likely will have to earn his spot.
The Yankees still need to fill some spots in their bullpen. At the Winter Meetings, manager Aaron Boone suggested Clayton Beeter would be getting a chance to transition from minor league starter to big league reliever.
The Yankees have interest in bringing back fan-favorite Tommy Kahnle and it would not be surprising if they also brought back Tim Hill, both right-handers, but they were two veterans that Boone trusted down the stretch.
More MLB: Yankees GM confirmes talks with Alex Bregman’s agent
