One of the New York Yankees’ newest additions is in line to receive a massive contract extension.
New York is coming off a successful 2024 season, which saw the franchise make the World Series for the first time since 2009.
While the Yankees came up short against a superior Los Angeles Dodgers team, this franchise heads into 2025 with sky-high expectations. Those hopes have taken a hit with star pitcher Gerrit Cole out for the season. That being, New York still has a formidable starting rotation and bullpen. And one the most prolific additions to the bullpen this offseason was former Milwaukee Brewers’ reliever Devin Williams.
Williams has been among the best closers in the Major League Baseball over the past few years. The 30-year-old was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023 and still put up elite numbers during an injury-ridden 2024 season. Williams is currently on a one-year, $8.6 million deal going into this season.
According to senior writer for The Athletic Tim Britton, the Yankees’ reliever is set to receive a five-year, $80 million extension next offseason. Britton explained his rationale behind this projection.
“Just looking at the raw numbers isn’t charitable to Williams, who, on a per-appearance basis, is right there with recent closers who signed four-year deals like Raisel Iglesias and Tanner Scott,” Britton wrote. “(Williams missed roughly two-thirds of last season.) Given that no position gets paid on reputation quite the way closer does, Williams could still be in line for a deal that rivals Scott’s before adding in this year’s salary.”
It’s safe to say that a lot is at stake 30-year-old in 2025. For the Yankees to be successful, Williams must have an All-MLB caliber season as the starting closer on a roster with several uncertainties now due to injuries. There’s a long road ahead to that extension, but based on the recent past, it’s fair to assume that Williams will live up to the hype.
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