Hey Devin Williams, This Is New York! Figure It Out!

Devin Williams doesn’t feel good, guys. Give me a break.

Let me just say this right off the bat: I’m sure Devin Williams is a good guy. A solid dude. But I also know that if I just got traded to the New York Yankees—arguably the most scrutinized franchise in all of professional sports—and it’s already April 10th, the last thing I’d want to be saying is that I don’t “feel like myself.”

You’re the newly anointed closer for the New York Yankees. That means something. It’s not spring training anymore, it’s not Milwaukee anymore, and frankly, it’s not time for excuses.

Let’s get real: athletes today make millions of dollars. And for what? To show up “not 100 percent”? If I had a gig like that, I’d be doing squats in the snow and throwing bullpen sessions in my garage in January. You’re not a machine—no one’s asking you to be. But if you’re telling the press that you need more “game reps,” maybe you shouldn’t be handed the ninth inning with a four-run lead at Comerica Park.

Now let’s talk about what actually happened.

Devin Williams, in what should have been a routine closeout job against the Tigers, gave up three runs in the ninth inning before being pulled with the tying run standing on second base. After the game, he told reporters, “Haven’t felt, like, 100 percent myself up to this point… Physically, I’m fine. You need game reps and things like that.”

Translation? He’s still working on it. Sorry, but that’s not going to cut it in New York.

Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record—one of the few voices still worth reading on the Yankees beat—summed it up best: “It’s been a cold, cruel beginning to Devin Williams’ pinstriped career.”

And then, of course, there’s Aaron Boone. Always the apologist, Boone brushed it off by saying, “I don’t think it’s far off.” Right—this coming from the guy who ended his own Yankees career blowing out his knee in a meaningless pickup basketball game. Boone always “feels for the guys.” It’s part of the charm. Or the problem. Depends how you look at it.

Meanwhile, Luke Weaver’s just out here grinding. He’s not complaining. He’s not making excuses. He was given a chance and seized it—simple as that. And let’s be honest: there was never a real reason the Yankees had to go out and get Devin Williams in the first place. What they needed was starting to pitch. At least two reliable arms. Instead, they grabbed the shiny toy and now we’re stuck hoping he figures it out mid-season.

Here’s the harsh truth: New York doesn’t care if you’re “still figuring stuff out.” This is the Yankees. The spotlight is blinding, and the expectations are unforgiving. Devin, if you’re not ready, you better get ready—fast.

So, to recap: we’ve got Giancarlo Stanton’s elbows acting up like they’ve never seen a dumbbell before, and now Devin Williams is saying he’s not quite himself yet. Must be something in the clubhouse air. Soft.

Listen, everyone’s human. But this is Major League Baseball. This is New York. It’s your job. You’re getting paid like a professional, so act like one.

Figure it out, Devin.