Devin Williams is switching teams. According to The Athletic, Williams and the New York Mets have reached an agreement on a three-year deal that includes a $45 million annual salary, a $6 million signing bonus, and deferred payments, as reported by the New York Post. The Mets have yet to officially announce the signing.
This contract marks a reunion between Williams and David Stearns. Williams was in the Brewers’ minor league system when Stearns became the general manager in 2015, and they worked together until Stearns joined the Mets two years ago. Their history likely influenced this agreement.
Williams, 31, played for the Yankees last season, pitching 62 innings with a 4.79 ERA. Though he allowed 37 runs in 2025 after giving up 33 combined from 2022 to 2024, Williams showed moments of dominance, ending the year with 90 strikeouts in 62 innings. He was also a dependable late-inning reliever in the playoffs.
Reflecting on his time with the Yankees, Williams said, “It was a challenge at first, but I’ve grown to love being here. I love this city. I love riding the train to the field every day.”
Ranked as the 19th-best free agent this offseason and the second-best reliever behind former Mets closer Edwin Diaz, Williams was described as a strong bounce-back candidate. Despite a high ERA, his underlying stats suggest he still has the potential to perform at a high level.
While signing Williams doesn’t rule out Diaz returning to the Mets, it does reduce that likelihood. Given New York’s bullpen struggles throughout the 2025 season, the team might lean toward having both Williams and Diaz instead of replacing Diaz entirely. Williams will be the first reliever the Mets bring in this winter, but he won’t be the last.
Currently, the Mets’ bullpen mainly features left-handers Brooks Lally and AJ Minter, with right-hander Huascar Brazoban also a contender for a bullpen role. Minter had postseason surgery and missed most of last season.
Since the Yankees did not offer Williams a qualifying offer of just over $22 million, he won’t be eligible for compensatory draft picks, and the Mets won’t lose any picks for signing him.
Fan Take: Devin Williams joining the Mets brings a fresh spark to an area that has been in need of firepower. For baseball fans, this move signals a competitive offseason and highlights how past professional relationships can shape impactful team decisions.
