Yankees' Devin Williams tabbed as potential surprise trade chip

The New York Yankees acquired Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason. He has not been the same player he was for the Brewers.

Williams was a two-time All-Star and two-time National League Reliever of the Year for the Brewers. He struggled early for the Yankees and was taken out of the closer's role. He reclaimed the job, but has still not been as dominant as he once was. Could he be traded at this year's trade deadline?

The Yankees are not sellers. In fact, they have already made some trades to add to their team. However, Williams is going to be a free agent and has been an average player this season. Trading him could help the Yankees down the line. FanSided's Thomas Carannante suggested Williams could be a surprise trade candidate.

"Fans would much rather move Williams than (Luke) Weaver, however, because he probably carries more value and almost certainly will not be returning to the Bronx after 2025," wrote Carannante. "He's been pitching great over the last month and will surely serve little-to-no purpose if the Yankees aren't optimistic about Judge (and keep playing like they've been). A ton of teams would immediately help the Yankees recoup what they lost in their offseason trade with the Brewers, and they shouldn't hesitate if the right offer surfaces."

If Williams is pitching like he was for the Brewers, he is arguably the best closer in all of baseball. However, he has a 4.58 ERA and has allowed more earned runs than he has in the last two years combined.

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Trading Williams would vault Weaver back into the closer's role. He has found some success there, so it would not leave the Yankees completely without answers.

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