What Devin Williams-Nestor Cortes deal means for Brewers

Milwaukee hopes Cortes brings a vital left-handed presence to the starting rotation. In 30 starts last season with the Yankees, he went 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 174.1 innings. 

Cortes' distinctive six-pitch mix, which includes a four-seam fastball, cutter, sweeper, changeup, sinker and slider, should be welcomed by Brewers pitching coach Chris Hook.

Durbin will enhance Milwaukee's infield depth, particularly following shortstop Willy Adames' move to the San Francisco Giants in free agency on a seven-year, $182M deal.

Last season in Triple-A, Durbin posted a .287/.396/.471 slash line with 10 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 82 games. His ability to avoid strikeouts stands out; in 310 at-bats last season, he struck out just 37 times. Adames, meanwhile, struck out 173 times in 610 at-bats last season. 

Durbin, who can play second base, third base, shortstop and center field, also will bring needed flexibility to the infield.

With Williams departing, Milwaukee will probably fill the closer role with Trevor Megill. During Williams' absence for the first four months in 2024, Megill stepped up as the primary closer, finishing the season with a team-leading 21 saves, 2.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. Megill also has outstanding control (14 walks in 2024).

Megill's pitch mix, like Williams', is straightforward, consisting of primarily two pitches: a four-seam fastball and a knuckle curve. Megill heavily relies on his fastball (71.6% of pitches). His fastball averages 98.8 miles per hour, while the knuckle curve comes in at 87.4. The 11.4 miles per hour difference is greater than the gap Williams has between his fastball (94.7) and changeup (84.4).

This trade bolsters New York's bullpen with a proven closer in Williams. Meanwhile, the Brewers address their starting pitching needs and enhance their infield depth.