Devin Williams Bolsters Mets’ Bullpen with a Million-Dollar Contract
The New York Mets and reliever Devin Williams have reached a three-year, $51 million agreement, according to league sources. This agreement provides the team with a quality replacement in case All-Star closer Edwin Díaz decides to sign with another team.
The contract includes a signing bonus of 6 million dollars distributed over the three seasons, with no opt-out clauses.
Williams will strengthen the final part of the bullpen, an area that the Mets are determined to substantially improve this winter. The unknown lies in whether he will be used as a setup man or as a closer.
Williams’ role will depend on whether the Mets manage to retain Díaz, who opted out of his contract last month and is considered the most sought-after free agent reliever this offseason. Williams’ arrival does not rule out the possibility of a reunion with Díaz, as the Mets are interested in his return.
Williams, 31, arrives in free agency after his only season with the New York Yankees. Acquired last December from the Milwaukee Brewers, Williams struggled, recording an ERA of 4.79 in 67 appearances for New York. However, underlying metrics suggest that his ERA is misleading.
Saved 18 games out of 22 opportunities for the Yankees, but shared the closer role for most of the season. Williams had four scoreless outings during the Yankees’ postseason, although David Bednar was the one who got the saves in the playoffs.
Before joining the Yankees, Williams was a standout pitcher in the late innings of the bullpen during his six seasons with Milwaukee, first as a setup reliever for star closer Josh Hader and then as his replacement.
After winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2020, Williams was selected for two National League All-Star teams. In the three seasons prior to his trade to the Yankees, Williams had a 15-7 record with 65 saves and a minuscule 1.66 ERA.
Williams has had an unorthodox style as a closer. Despite a below-average fastball velocity for the league, he thrived thanks to one of the best changeups in the game, a pitch so distinctive that it acquired a nickname: “The Air Master”.
Now, Williams will meet with Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who held that position for the Brewers during Williams’ first four seasons in Milwaukee.
