Summary:
- Devin Williams is joining the Mets on a three-year, $51 million contract with a $6 million signing bonus.
- His role depends on whether the team brings back Edwin Diaz, who remains a free-agent target.
- Despite a rough ERA with the Yankees, Williams’ underlying numbers and past success point to strong rebound potential.
The New York Mets are on the verge of making a serious push to upgrade their bullpen. On Monday night, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, they locked in one of the top relievers on the market.
The Mets and Devin Williams agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract, giving the team an immediate high-leverage arm and some insurance if Edwin Diaz ends up signing somewhere else.
The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus that will be paid out over the length of the contract, and there are no opt-outs or team options attached.
The biggest question now is how Williams will fit into the Mets’ plans. He has the track record to close, but his role depends on what happens with Diaz.
The Mets would still like to bring Diaz back after he opted out of his contract last month, and multiple reports say the club remains in the mix to re-sign him. If they get him, Williams could slot into a setup role. However, if they don’t, he will become an obvious candidate to take on the ninth inning.
This move also marks a fresh start for Williams after a difficult year with the Yankees. He joined them in a December trade that sent Nestor Cortes and Rookie of the Year finalist Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee. His time in the Bronx didn’t go as planned.
Williams posted a 4.79 ERA across 67 games, the worst of his career, and he eventually shared the closer job after a shaky first couple of months. Even so, his underlying numbers told a different story.
A 2.68 FIP, a .195 expected batting average, and elite swing-and-miss rates suggest that his performance wasn’t nearly as rough as the ERA made it look.
He still picked up 18 saves in 22 chances and threw four scoreless outings during the Yankees’ postseason run. David Bednar handled the actual playoff saves, but Williams remained a key piece of the late-inning mix.
Before his stint in New York, Williams built a reputation as one of the most reliable relievers in baseball. He was brilliant with the Brewers, first setting up Josh Hader and later taking over the closer spot.
His impressive resume also includes the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year award, two All-Star selections, and a 1.66 ERA over the three seasons that preceded the trade to the Yankees. His signature changeup, nicknamed “The Airbender,” became one of the most recognizable pitches in the league.
Signing with the Mets also reunites him with David Stearns, now the club’s president of baseball operations, who was in Milwaukee’s front office during Williams’ rise. Their history could help Williams settle in quickly as he takes on a central role in New York’s revamped bullpen.
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