Dodgers fans thrilled Yankees' Brian Cashman stepped in and prevented trade disaster

After the Yankees pulled off a trade with the Brewers for star closer Devin Williams, Williams told MLB.com's Brian Hoch that he'd been completely prepared to move west. The Dodgers had expressed heavy interest in Williams as their closer after seeing success from Michael Kopech in earlier innings, and it seemed like they were close to getting a trade done before the Yankees came in through the back door.

The Dodgers were quick to pivot, signing Tanner Scott a month later on a four-year deal, but it was frustrating that a deal for Williams seemed close enough to closing that he was even being told by Brewers management to prepare to go to LA.

But the Dodgers might've dodged a bullet, as Williams' first three innings for the Yankees have been a total disaster. He picked up his first save in his debut against his old team, but it wasn't without complication; he loaded the bases in the top of the ninth on two hits and a walk, then gave up a run on a sac fly. It was just the first sign of trouble for the complete unraveling that's followed.

Dodgers look like they've dodged a bullet as Devin Williams faces confounding struggles with Yankees

Williams pitched a clean ninth against the Pirates his second time out, but then he gave up a walk-off RBI single to Tommy Pham that allowed Pittsburgh to avoid a sweep in the finale. He tried again against the Tigers on Wednesday when the Yankees were enjoying a 4-0 lead, but got perilously close to making way for another walk-off when he gave up three runs in the bottom of the ninth after loading the bases on a walk, a single, and another walk. A wild pitch allowed a run to score, and then a two-run single got the Tigers within one. The Yankees had to replace Williams with Mark Leiter Jr. to get the last out.

In just three innings, Williams has given up more earned runs (four) than he did in 21 2/3 with the Brewers last season. The guy who put up a 1.66 ERA in 141 innings with the Brewers from 2022-2024 has completely disappeared.

Meanwhile, Scott had a bit of a rocky stretch in March, but hasn't given up a run in April and has already notched three saves for the Dodgers. Williams getting swiped by the Yankees might've been a bummer initially, but the Dodgers should really be thanking Brian Cashman at this point.