Devin Williams, like many New Yorkers, commuted by subway to his games this year and enjoyed traveling to the Bronx for his home matches. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, he was easily noticeable among the crowds at Yankee Stadium before the ceremonial first pitch. After signing a new contract on Monday night, Williams is set to continue his routine commuting, but this time to Queens with the New York Mets. The 31-year-old relief pitcher reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $45 million plus bonuses, aiming to rejuvenate his career and regain the dominance he showed with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Williams, known for his signature Airbender changeup, maintained an impressive 1.83 ERA across six seasons with the Brewers before being traded to the Yankees in December 2024. New York hoped to acquire a fearless closer capable of overpowering lineups, but Williams’ season was inconsistent—a roller coaster ride for fans. He started April with a 9.00 ERA over 12 relief appearances, improved to a 2.66 ERA through May and June, struggled again in July with a 5.73 ERA, but stabilized as a setup man by the end of the season, closing with 13 shutout innings including four in the playoffs.
Despite some struggles, Williams’ pitching quality still shows room for growth. A former Rookie of the Year and two-time National League Reliever of the Year, his strikeout rate stayed elite. His overall 4.79 ERA and 2.68 FIP hint that bad luck and weak defense played roles in his uneven performance. The Mets hope to address these issues and see Williams as a valuable asset.
Looking ahead, Williams’ signing offers strategic benefits for the Mets. Mirroring the trade for second baseman Marcus Semien, Williams’ contract can benefit even more if closer Edwin Diaz returns to the team. The Mets are eager to re-sign Diaz, the top relief pitcher available, making the combined spending on bullpen talent potentially massive. Though some may question the logic of investing over $100 million in two relievers while chasing first baseman Pete Alonso, Mets owner Steve Cohen’s financial flexibility makes anything possible. Last season, the bullpen was a weak point, especially in the back half, but adding Williams greatly strengthens that area. Should Diaz leave, Williams could step up as closer, providing the Mets with a solid fallback plan.
Williams adapted his training for New York and brings elite skills, regardless of his Bronx challenges. The Mets have now addressed a significant pitching concern, acquiring a high-leverage reliever ready to fill any role the team requires. Their next focus should be reigniting fan excitement at Citi Field.
As for the Yankees, Williams never fully settled in and outperformed some teammates in a setup role but wasn’t re-signed. His departure fits into general manager Brian Cashman’s plans, who now must fill numerous bullpen vacancies. The Yankees have quietly re-signed Trent Grisham and lefty Ryan Yarbrough but face open spots with several relievers hitting free agency. With closer David Bednar under contract for one more year, the team might look to add a high-impact reliever like Diaz or Robert Suarez to strengthen their bullpen.
The reliever market remains active. Williams joins Ryan Helsley as recent examples of relievers earning major multi-year deals despite ERAs over 4.00, reflecting strong underlying metrics. Diaz is the top free agent, followed by Suarez, who led the National League with 40 saves. Other notable free agents include Pete Fairbanks, Tyler Rodgers, Emilio Pagan, and Kenley Jansen, with teams like the Blue Jays and Yankees actively pursuing bullpen talent.
—Disha Tosar, FOX Sports reporter and Mets beat correspondent, grew up on Long Island and now resides in Queens.
Fan Take: Devin Williams moving to the Mets highlights the evolving importance of elite bullpen arms in modern baseball, showing teams’ willingness to invest heavily in relief pitching. This move could reshape how fans and franchises value relievers, potentially shifting the balance of power in the competitive New York baseball scene.
