Tag: Milwaukee Brewers

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MLB (Baseball)

Devin Williams Joins Yankees as Star Closer in High-Profile Trade with Brewers

Devin Williams
Devin Williams (MLB)

The Yankees have long coveted Devin Williams, with general manager Brian Cashman confirming prior unsuccessful attempts to acquire the star closer. On Friday, the team finally secured Williams from the Brewers in a trade that sent left-hander Nestor Cortes, infielder Caleb Durbin, and cash considerations to Milwaukee. This high-profile acquisition bolsters the Yankees’ bullpen for the 2025 season, giving them a two-time All-Star and former National League Reliever of the Year. Williams’ stellar track record and formidable arsenal make him an exciting addition to New York’s roster.

Williams, 30, has built an impressive résumé, including National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2020 and Reliever of the Year awards in 2021 and 2023. Known for his explosive fastball and devastating changeup, Williams excels in generating soft contact, strikeouts, and ground balls. In the 2024 season, he posted a remarkable 1.25 ERA in 22 appearances, despite dealing with back injuries that delayed his season debut. However, his postseason struggles, including a blown save in the NL Wild Card Series, highlight some challenges. With one year of arbitration eligibility remaining, the Yankees have yet to discuss a long-term extension with their new closer.

Devin Williams
Devin Williams (MLB)

Reshaping the Yankees’ Bullpen

The addition of Williams signifies a strategic shift for the Yankees’ bullpen. Luke Weaver, initially expected to serve as closer, will now transition to a setup role. Meanwhile, Jonathan Loáisiga, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is expected to return midseason. The team’s bullpen depth will be critical, especially after losing key contributors like Clay Holmes to the Mets and free agents Tim Hill and Tommy Kahnle. Cashman emphasized Williams’ exceptional talent and ability to handle high-pressure situations, underscoring his value as a marquee closer in a competitive division.

In exchange for Williams, the Brewers receive left-hander Nestor Cortes, who brings experience and reliability to their pitching rotation. Despite a challenging postseason appearance, where he surrendered a walk-off grand slam in the World Series, Cortes proved dependable during the 2024 season, compiling a 3.77 ERA over 174 1/3 innings. A former All-Star, Cortes has been a key figure for the Yankees over five seasons, but the team’s recent acquisition of Max Fried made him expendable. The Brewers now have a proven starter under team control for one more season before free agency.

Infielder Caleb Durbin, also included in the trade, leaves the Yankees after a breakout season. Durbin shone in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .287 with 10 homers and 60 RBIs. He further elevated his profile with an impressive Arizona Fall League performance, setting a new stolen base record with 29 steals in just 24 games. Despite being a strong candidate for New York’s second base position, Durbin’s departure clears a path for other internal options, such as Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza, while the Yankees explore external additions like free agent Alex Bregman.

The trade for Williams reflects the Yankees’ aggressive approach to improving their roster ahead of the 2025 season. Alongside acquiring Max Fried and reshaping their bullpen, the team continues to evaluate potential upgrades at third base. Cashman acknowledged the work still to be done, emphasizing the importance of building a championship-caliber roster. With Williams anchoring the bullpen and a strengthened rotation, the Yankees are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the American League, determined to reclaim their status as perennial World Series favorites.

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MLB (Baseball)

The Brewers have traded minor league LHP Mason Molina to the Rangers in exchange for RHP Grant Anderson

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Grant Anderson winds up during the eighth inning of a baseball game

The Milwaukee Brewers traded minor league left-handed pitcher Mason Molina to the Texas Rangers for right-handed pitcher Grant Anderson on Thursday.

This trade came after the Rangers decided to designate Anderson for assignment on Monday.

Anderson, 27, had a 0-1 record with an 8.10 ERA and one save in 23 relief appearances for Texas last season. He struck out 29 batters, walked 10, and gave up 11 home runs in 26 2/3 innings pitched.

While playing for Triple-A Round Rock last season, Anderson was 3-0 with a 2.93 ERA and one save in 26 appearances.

In the 2023 season, Anderson had a 2-1 record with a 5.05 ERA in 26 relief outings for Texas.

Milwaukee Brewers walks off the field in the 3rd inning

Molina, 21, was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 amateur draft from Arkansas. Last season, he made two starts for Class A Carolina, striking out six batters in five shutout innings. He also made two postseason appearances — one for Carolina and one for Class A Wisconsin.

To make space for Anderson on their 40-man roster, the Brewers designated left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay for assignment. Jay, 30, posted a 0-0 record with a 4.70 ERA in five combined appearances for the Brewers and New York Mets last season.

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MLB (Baseball)

MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift

MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift
MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that it will take over the production and distribution of local broadcasts for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins starting next season. This follows the expiration of the teams’ contracts with Diamond Sports Group at the end of the 2024 regular season. With this move, MLB expands its control over regional broadcasts, adding to its existing responsibility for the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies, marking a significant step in its broader broadcasting strategy for 2025.

The Texas Rangers, whose contract with Diamond also ended recently, have decided to part ways with the company. They are currently exploring their options for next season. MLB’s decision to handle broadcasts for the Guardians, Brewers, and Twins is part of a larger initiative to increase the market reach of teams by at least 2 million households per market, an effort already proven successful with the Diamondbacks, who saw a major increase in their reach after MLB took over their broadcasts.

MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift
MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift

For the Twins, this change comes with challenges, as they will no longer receive the rights fees previously provided by Diamond. Despite this, team president Dave St. Peter assured fans that the loss would not impact player spending for the upcoming season. MLB’s new broadcasting model will lead to a reduction in local revenue for the Twins in 2025, but St. Peter expressed confidence that over time, increased viewership and the economics associated with it would lead to greater long-term benefits for the team.

The Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins will see dramatic increases in their broadcast reach, with the Guardians’ availability expanding from 1.45 million to 4.86 million households, and the Twins’ from 1.08 million to 4.4 million. Schlesinger, president of business operations for the Brewers, also expects significant growth in his team’s reach. He noted that while the new model requires substantial investments in infrastructure, it presents a unique opportunity to expand fan access without the limitations of blackouts.

The move comes at a pivotal time for Diamond Sports Group, which is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. As the company reworks its finances, MLB could take over additional teams’ broadcasts, with Diamond potentially focusing only on the Atlanta Braves by 2025. Despite short-term financial concerns, the teams involved in MLB’s new broadcast model are optimistic about the long-term benefits, including the shift towards a direct-to-consumer model, which they believe will increase fan access and ultimately generate more revenue.