The New York Mets just made another bold move - and this one hits especially close to home for their crosstown rivals.
Late Monday night, the Mets signed former Yankees closer Devin Williams to a three-year deal reportedly worth north of $50 million. It’s a significant investment in a bullpen that needed reinforcements, but it’s also something more: a power play that signals the Mets aren’t just building a contender - they’re doing it by raiding the Bronx.
This isn’t the first time the Mets have dipped into Yankees territory. After snagging Juan Soto last offseason, they’ve now doubled down by plucking another high-upside talent from their rivals, this time targeting the back end of the bullpen. And while Williams’ surface-level numbers might raise some eyebrows, the Mets clearly see something others might miss.
Don’t Be Fooled by the ERA
Let’s start with the obvious: a 4.79 ERA over 62 innings doesn’t scream “elite closer.” On paper, that’s a rough year for a guy expected to lock down tight games.
But the Mets aren’t paying for what Williams did last year - they’re paying for what he still can do. And when you dig into the advanced metrics, it’s easy to see why they’re betting big.
Williams struck out over 13 batters per nine innings last season. That’s not just solid - that’s elite.
His strikeout rate sits in the 97th percentile, and his whiff rate is in the 99th. Translation: hitters aren’t just missing - they’re missing badly.
He’s still generating swings and misses at a rate reserved for the game’s most dominant arms.
So what went wrong? A bit of bad luck, some untimely hits, and maybe a few defensive miscues.
But nothing in his underlying profile suggests a pitcher in decline. The Mets are banking on regression - not the bad kind, but the kind that brings his ERA back in line with his elite strikeout and contact suppression numbers.
Buying Low on High-End Stuff
This is the kind of move smart front offices make. Williams’ ERA may have scared off some suitors, but the Mets saw through the noise.
A 99th percentile whiff rate doesn’t lie. When a pitcher is that hard to square up, the run prevention usually follows.
Think of it like buying a luxury car at a discount because there’s a dent in the door. The engine still purrs. The Mets are betting that Williams’ elite stuff will win out over last season’s surface-level struggles - and if it does, they’ve just added a top-tier reliever at a relative bargain.
What This Means for Edwin Díaz
Of course, adding a closer-caliber arm like Williams brings up a big question: what does this mean for Edwin Díaz?
Díaz has been the anchor of the Mets’ bullpen, and when healthy, he’s one of the most electric closers in the game. But with Williams now in the fold, the Mets have options - and leverage. Whether this move is designed to create a two-headed monster at the back end (think Díaz in the 9th, Williams in the 8th) or provide insurance in case contract talks with Díaz hit a snag, it’s a savvy play.
At worst, the Mets now have one of the most intimidating late-inning tandems in baseball. At best, they’ve protected themselves against future uncertainty while upgrading in the present.
The Mets Are Flipping the Script in New York
There’s also a psychological edge to this move. For years - decades, really - it was the Yankees who flexed their financial muscle, cherry-picking stars from other teams and asserting dominance in the New York baseball landscape.
Now? The script has flipped.
The Mets aren’t just spending - they’re spending smart. They’re identifying undervalued talent, striking quickly, and doing it at the expense of their longtime rivals. First Soto, now Williams - both high-upside players, both acquired after down years, and both now wearing orange and blue.
This isn’t just about building a better bullpen. It’s about changing the narrative in New York baseball.
The Mets aren’t playing catch-up anymore. They’re setting the pace - and they’re doing it by turning the Yankees’ roster into a shopping aisle.
If Devin Williams bounces back the way the metrics suggest he will, the Mets just pulled off one of the savviest bullpen additions of the offseason. And they did it by once again outmaneuvering the team across town.