Williams earned the save Thursday after giving up one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning to close out a 4-2 win versus the Brewers. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The All-Star closer's debut with the Yankees was almost disastrous, as nearly blew a three-run lead against his former team. Williams loaded the bases before recording out No. 1 via a sacrifice fly, and he then proceeded to strike out Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich to end the game. Friday's team off day will provide some much-needed rest after throwing 36 pitches, but such a heavy workload could still affect Williams' availability for Saturday.

Williams and the Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $8.6 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was dealt to the Yankees earlier this offseason and has already been named the team's closer. Though he missed most of 2024, he's maintained an ERA below 2.00 for each of the last three seasons while striking out at least 13.3 batters per nine innings in each of the last five campaigns. Williams will earn $1.6 million more than he did in 2024.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Williams will be the team's closer in 2025, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boone indicated that Luke Weaver could receive the occasional save opportunity, but it's going to be Williams in the ninth inning when he's available. The revelation is no surprise, as Williams has been one of the game's best relievers since arriving in the big leagues, having collected a 1.83 ERA and 39.4 percent strikeout rate in six seasons.

The Yankees acquired Williams from the Brewers on Friday in exchange for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was limited to just 21.2 regular-season innings in 2024 due to back problems, but he finished the year healthy and was his usual, dominant self when on the mound, posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB. He's set to make around around $8 million in 2025 in his final year of arbitration eligibility and will give the Yankees an upper echelon closer. Luke Weaver will shift to a setup role.

The Brewers declined Williams' $10 million club option for 2025 on Sunday, though he remains in the organization and is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander is estimated to make a bit less through the arbitration process, so Milwaukee will pay the $250,000 buyout while targeting a slightly lower salary. Williams didn't debut in 2024 until late July due to a back injury -- which is why his estimated salary for 2025 should be under $10 million -- but he was again one of the best closers in baseball once healthy with a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB across 21.2 innings. He's a candidate to be moved during the offseason, as Brewers GM Matt Arnold said the organization will "stay open-minded" regarding a potential trade, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

Williams earned the save in Thursday's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh, allowing one hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Williams worked around a Nick Gonzales one-out double to secure his 14th save this season. The 30-year-old Williams has held opponents scoreless in his last 12 appearances (12 innings) while securing nine consecutive saves -- he's allowed just four hits while striking out 22 in that span. Overall, Willliams' ERA is down to 1.31 on the year with a 0.97 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB across 20.2 innings.

Williams struck out two and issued a walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander issued a seven-pitch walk to open the frame but retired the next three batters on 14 pitches to close out the one-run victory. It was Williams' first save opportunity since Sept. 13 as Milwaukee has skidded a bit since clinching the NL Central, but he's now converted eight straight save chances and has a 21:5 K:BB without giving up a run in his past 11 outings.

Williams struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Williams collected his third save in four days by retiring the side on 14 pitches in the ninth inning. He's avoided a prolonged slump after a blown save Aug. 21 versus the Cardinals, following it up with a nine-inning scoreless streak that has seen him earn seven saves with a 16:4 K:BB. Williams is now at a 1.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB with 12 saves in 13 chances over 17.2 innings this season.

Williams picked up the save over the Giants on Thursday, allowing two hits over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Williams struck out Matt Chapman on three straight pitches after taking the mound in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead. However, he would then allow back-to-back hits, including a double to put the game-tying run on base. The right-hander was able to retire the next two batters to record his 11th save of the campaign and his third in the month of September. Williams has also posted multiple strikeouts in six consecutive appearances, posting a 13:3 K:BB over that stretch. He's still yet to allow a run this month.

Williams earned a save against the Giants on Tuesday, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two during a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Williams worked around a base hit and a walk in the inning with two strikeouts and a pop out to put the Giants away for his 10th save of the year. He's now working on seven straight scoreless appearances and has struck out 11 of the 20 batters he's faced over his last five outings. For the year, Williams has a 1.72 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB in 15.2 innings.