The New York Yankees have a closer problem.
Calls Mount for Yankees to Make Devin Williams Move After Loss to Rangers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Yankees specialize in losing games in the most dramatic way possible. Their 28 regular-season walk-off losses in extra-inning games since 2020 lead baseball, via Stathead's Katie Sharp.
The Yankees' latest such defeat was on Monday, when they fell 8-5 to the Texas Rangers in 10 innings. They jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second before Max Fried gave up four runs in the bottom frame. Giancarlo Stanton then followed up with a two-run, 427-foot homer to center in the fourth to give them a 5-4 lead.
However, Joc Pederson hit a game-tying homer off of New York closer Devin Williams in the ninth, giving the beleaguered reliever his third blown save of the season. Josh Jung then hit a three-run blast off of Trade Deadline acquisition Jake Bird in the 10th to walk it off for Texas.
Williams now has a 5.10 ERA in 46 outings, and Yankees fans on social media have had enough.
"Devin Williams has now allowed a run in five of his last seven outings since the All-Star break, and his ERA this season is now 5.10, but Aaron Boone insisted he’s the closer," one said. "Ridiculous decision. Embarrassing."
"It’s August, and Devin Williams' ERA is 5.10," another said. "Boone can say whatever BS he wants, but with a ton of great RP arms, he’s using the guy with the 5 ERA to close. Shameful."
"Devin Williams not being traded at the deadline was a killer," another said. "The most perfect example of 'not built to be a Yankee' there’s ever been. Somehow, Aaron Boone is still closing him."
"Devin Williams forcing the Yankees to change their facial hair policy and proceeding to stink up the joint is very funny," another said.
"Devin Williams cannot be the closer anymore," another said. "Enough is enough. Can’t be the guy."
Joc Pederson's game-tying HR.
— Jared Sandler (@JaredSandler) August 5, 2025
I believe he said "Don't mess with me" as he left the box except he didn't use the word mess. pic.twitter.com/MHztAorOqF
Yankees Must Make Closer Change for Second Straight Year
New York was in a similar position last season, as it removed two-time All-Star Clay Holmes from the closer role after blowing a MLB-high 13 saves. The club swapped him for Luke Weaver, who finished the regular season 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA and four saves in as many opportunities.
The Yankees could give the role back to the latter hurler now, who briefly replaced Williams before getting hurt in July. He has a 2.95 ERA with eight saves in 11 opportunities this season.
They could also use Trade Deadline acquisitions Camilo Doval or David Bednar, who have 15 and 17 saves, respectively. Doval also has a 3.19 ERA, while Bednar has a 2.66 mark.
Either way, New York can't afford to keep blowing close games, as it is now tied with the Seattle Mariners for the second AL Wild Card spot and is 1.5 games ahead of the Rangers for the third and final slot.
Related: MLB Fans Are Laughing at Yankees After New-Look Bullpen Implodes in First Game
Related: Devin Williams Addresses Trade After Yankees Make Decision on His Role
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
