Boone Offers No Guarantees After Devin Williams’ Third Straight Blowup

Here we go again. Two home runs and two blown saves later and suddenly Devin Williams' job is on the line again. 

Aaron Boone stood byWilliams, insisting the All-Star right-hander would remain the Yankees’ closer after New York traded for two other ninth-inning arms in David Bednar and Camilo Doval. But after Williams served up another homer Monday, his third in as many outings, Boone didn’t exactly rush to reinforce the vote of confidence.

“He’s been through tough moments already this season,” Boone told reporters after the 8-5 loss to the Rangers in 10 innings. “We have a lot of good guys down there. We have to close out these games.”

That’s not exactly an endorsement. It’s more of a nudge one that suggests Williams’ role may no longer be guaranteed.

Boone didn’t name a new closer, and maybe he won’t. 

The Yankees now have options. Bednar and Doval each have closing experience and come with power stuff. Jake Bird and Clay Holmes can work late innings too. If Williams continues to struggle with command and the long ball, the leash may be getting shorter,if it’s still there at all.

Williams did go through this before. 

He lost his closing job at the beginning of the season after posting an 11.25 ERA, only regaining it when Luke Weaver went on the injured list. He was solid for almost 30 straight appearances, but has allowed a run in his last three appearances. 

Williams has a history of dominance, but this isn’t that version. His signature changeup hasn’t had the same bite, and hitters are clearly seeing him better the second time through. The confidence that once defined him now seems to be missing.

Boone’s approach has always been to protect his players, especially his pitchers. So when his tone turns even slightly ambiguous, it’s worth noting. The Yankees are in a playoff chase, and recent losses have narrowed the margin for error.

When the Yankees acquired Bednar and Doval, Boone downplayed any closer controversy. “Devin’s our guy,” he said at the time.

Now?

Maybe not. The Yankees need outs. They need stability. And they can’t afford any more games slipping away in the ninth.