The Milwaukee Brewers have found an offer for Devin Williams that they liked enough to accept. This deal sends Williams to the New York Yankees in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes, versatile infield prospect Caleb Durbin, and cash.
The Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees swapped rental players
Sep 17, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
In this trade, both Devin Williams and Nestor Cortes are rentals, with just one year of team control remaining before they hit free agency. MLB Trade Rumors projects their arbitration salaries at $7.7 million each, but the Yankees have sweetened the deal by including $4.5 million in cash. As a result, rather than the salaries balancing out, Milwaukee stands to come out ahead financially.
Prospect Caleb Durbin could be in the mix for a starting infield job with the Milwaukee Brewers
Mar 24, 2024; Bradenton, Florida, USA; New York Yankees infielder Caleb Durbin (87) throws the ball for an out during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
In 82 games at Triple-A last season, Caleb Durbin posted an impressive .287/.396/.471 line, with 10 home runs, 23 doubles, 60 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases. This year, he set a record for stolen bases in the Arizona Fall League. A versatile right-handed hitter and fielder, Durbin played third base, second base, and shortstop last season. A 2025 MLB debut with Milwaukee appears highly likely, with Durbin a strong candidate to compete for a starting infield spot.
Where does Nestor Cortes fit into the Milwaukee Brewers rotation?
Aug 5, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Starting pitching was an area of need for the Brewers this off-season, and Nestor Cortes should be a lock for the rotation come Opening Day. With the exception of an injury filled 2023 season, the 30 year old southpaw has been very good since 2021 with ERAs of 2.90 that year, 2.44 in 2022 (finished eighth in Cy-Young voting) and is coming off a season where he made 30 starts and had a 3.77 ERA.
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Tyler Koerth is the Lead Milwaukee Brewers Sports Writer at Wisconsin Sports Heroics. Articles have been published on Bleacher Report, Iheart, MSN, Yardbarker, and more. He has been covering the Brewers since 2019.
