Devin Williams Heads to Queens - What That Means for the Mets, and Maybe the Red Sox
The New York Mets just made a major move to bolster the back end of their bullpen, landing former Yankees closer Devin Williams on a three-year, $51 million deal. It’s a bold swing - and one that could have ripple effects across the league, especially for a few teams still eyeing elite late-inning help.
One of those teams? The Boston Red Sox.
Mets Get Their Man - But Is the Door Still Open for Díaz?
Let’s start with the Mets. With Edwin Díaz hitting free agency after opting out of his contract, New York needed to act fast.
In Williams, they’ve secured one of the nastiest relievers in the game - a two-time NL Reliever of the Year with a devastating changeup that’s made hitters look foolish for years. His deal includes no opt-outs or options, so he’s locked in through 2028, and he’s expected to pitch in high-leverage spots - potentially even in the ninth inning, depending on what happens with Díaz.
But here’s the key: this doesn’t necessarily mean the Mets are out on Díaz. According to league sources, New York is still very much in the mix to bring him back.
Williams provides insurance, yes, but he doesn’t close the door. If anything, he gives the Mets flexibility - a potential 1-2 punch in the bullpen that could rival any in baseball if Díaz returns.
Financially, the Mets structured the Williams deal with $45 million in base salary and a $6 million signing bonus, spread evenly over three years. There’s also $15 million in deferred money ($5 million per year), which helps the team manage the luxury tax hit. It’s a smart move for a club that’s trying to stay aggressive without completely blowing past financial thresholds.
Díaz’s Market Taking Shape - and Boston’s in the Picture
With Williams off the board, the spotlight now shifts back to Díaz, who remains one of the top bullpen arms available. A three-time All-Star, Díaz is coming off a strong bounce-back season: 28 saves, a 1.63 ERA, and the kind of electric stuff that made him a household name in Seattle and a fan favorite in Queens. He hasn’t quite replicated his historic 57-save season from 2018, but he’s still very much a game-changer in the ninth.
Several teams are reportedly circling - including the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Tigers - but the Orioles have already made their move, signing Ryan Helsley to a two-year, $28 million deal. That takes one suitor off the board, but it also raises the stakes for the rest.
For Boston, Díaz would be a fascinating fit. The Sox already have Aroldis Chapman under contract for 2026 after signing him to a one-year, $13.3 million extension that includes a vesting option for 2027.
But Chapman, now 37, isn’t the long-term answer. Díaz, on the other hand, could be.
He’s younger, more dominant, and still in the prime of his career.
A Potential Power Shift in the AL East?
If the Red Sox do land Díaz, it would send a clear message: they’re serious about contending. Adding a high-leverage arm like Díaz to a bullpen that already features Chapman could give Boston one of the more formidable late-inning combos in the American League - especially in a division where games are often decided in the final frames.
It’s also worth remembering that Díaz is no stranger to the spotlight. He signed a record-setting five-year, $102 million deal after the 2022 season - the richest contract ever for a reliever at the time - before suffering a torn patellar tendon during the World Baseball Classic that sidelined him for all of 2023. Now healthy, he’s looking to re-establish himself as one of the game’s most dominant closers.
What’s Next?
The Mets have made their move, but the bullpen market is far from settled. Díaz remains a top prize, and teams like the Red Sox are still lurking. Whether Boston steps up with a big offer remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the dominoes are starting to fall.
And with Devin Williams now in Queens, the pressure’s on.