Projected $62 million closer could be trade fit for Yankees, MLB writer claims

Devin Williams might get another shot at the closer job eventually, but as it stands, he's been a disaster for the New York Yankees.

Williams owns an ERA of 11.25 through 10 appearances as a Yankee. That's a stunning start for anyone, but for the two-time National League Reliever of the Year, it's completely unexpected.

Though Luke Weaver looks to be the Yankees' closer for now, Williams' struggles have opened the door to further speculation that trades could be on the horizon.

There are always high-end relievers available at the trade deadline, and as one baseball writer believes, the Minnesota Twins' struggles early in the 2025 season could give the Yankees one big name to target.

On Monday, Newsweek's Drew VonScio named Twins closer Jhoan Duran as a trade fit for the Yankees to consider ahead of the Jul. 31 deadline.

"While the Yankees aren't writing off Williams completely, there's certainly an argument he could benefit from a closer-by-committee situation. Durán would help fit this perfectly," VonScio wrote.

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"If the Yankees pursued Durán, it may require them to cough up a strong return. The 27-year-old closer has 2 1/2 years of team control remaining with the Twins."

Duran, 27, tops 100 miles per hour with regularity and has been dominant throughout his four years with the Twins. He owns a 2.53 ERA and 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings overall, and this season, that ERA has shrunk to 1.59 through 11 1/3 innings.

Spotrac projects Duran to be worth a seven-year, $62 million contract, but the Yankees wouldn't have to worry about that right now. He's under team control through 2027, and at that point, he'll be entering his age-30 season, beyond which relievers rarely sign big-money deals.

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