Luke Weaver still auditioning as future Yankees closer after Devin Williams' arrival

It is never a bad idea to have a strong contingency plan. Luckily for the New York Yankees, they've already seen the secondary strategy work to near perfection.

The Yankees traded for Milwaukee Brewers star Devin Williams earlier this offseason, and it is widely expected that the 30-year-old will be the closer for the entirety of the 2025 season. Despite the new addition, Luke Weaver, the closer at the end of the 2024 season, will still be auditioning for New York's 2026 closer role.

This reality has more to do with with money than preference. Williams is one of the best closers in baseball. He was injured at the start of last year but was elite when healthy. Williams posted a 1.25 ERA cross 21 2/3 innings of work. Over the course of 58 2/3 innings in 2023, the St. Louis native collected 36 saves and logged a 1.58 ERA.

Devin Williams' Yankees arrival doesn't interrupt Luke Weaver's closer journey

"He’s a year away from free agency but someone that we’ve tried to acquire for a number of years,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “I’m sure we weren’t the only bidders here in the end.”

It is not a given that Williams would ink a long-term deal to remain a Yankee. Further, his market will be filled with suitors willing to pay a luxurious cost for a star relief pitcher. Tanner Scott signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a four-year, $72 million contract this winter. Williams will command a large contract that will rival that.

As a result, the Yankees' brass will likely be watching Weaver carefully this season. While the 31-year-old is also set to become a free agent at the end of this season, he will cost less to retain and could have more upside in the long run.

2024 was Weaver's breakout season. He recorded a 2.89 ERA and a 0.929 WHIP across 84 innings. The Florida native stepped into the closer role late in the season and was extremely effective. During the postseason, he collected four saves and posted a 1.76 ERA across 15 1/3 innings. He was the savior of the bullpen.

Last season's advanced metrics also suggest that Weaver is built to be a closer. He ranked in the 93% in terms of K% and the 90th percentile in xBA. While one could critique that his Barrel% and Hard Hit% left something to be desired, it's possible he could improve upon these marks this season while once again showing he can consistently handle high-leverage situations.

Williams figures to be a dominant force this year, but Weaver will have ample opportunity to illustrate why he's the more realistic long-term option at closer in the Bronx.