After a short stint with the New York Yankees, Devin Williams is heading across town.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the deal guarantees more than $50 million and does not include any opt-outs for either side.
Williams was acquired by the Yankees prior to the 2025 season from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-hander Nestor Cortes, infielder Caleb Durbin and cash considerations.
During his lone season in the Bronx, the 31-year-old posted a 4.79 ERA over 62 innings while saving 18 games. He ultimately lost the closing role midway through the year as the Yankees’ bullpen struggled to protect late leads.
Despite the bloated ERA and some of the late-game struggles, Williams continued to strike batters out at a high clip and posted his lowest walk rate since 2020. He punched out 90 batters on the season and his 34.7 per cent strikeout rate ranked ninth among all qualified relievers.
Williams steadied for New York in the post-season. He pitched in four of the team’s seven playoff games, allowing just three hits and no runs.
While with the Brewers, Williams was a two-time All-Star (2022, 2023), a two-time National League Reliever of the Year (2020, 2023) and was named NL Rookie of the Year (2020).
For his career, he holds a 2.45 ERA, 31-16 record and 86 saves.
Star closer Edwin Diaz has held down ninth-inning duties for the better part of the past seven seasons with the Mets — the lone exception being his missed 2023 campaign.
Diaz, however, remains a free agent. So it is unclear whether Williams will take on the closing duties in Queens, or if a reunion may be in the works with Diaz that keeps the Mets’ newest reliever in a set-up role.
