Devin Williams Heads to Queens: Mets Bet Big on a Bounce-Back Bullpen Arm
The New York Mets are making moves - and this one comes with some serious upside. After a rocky year in the Bronx, Devin Williams is headed across town to join the Mets, signing a deal that might just be one of the offseason’s biggest value plays.
Let’s be clear: Williams didn’t look like himself in 2025. His ERA ballooned to 4.79 during a tough stint with the Yankees, and the dominance we saw during his Milwaukee days felt like a distant memory. But there’s more to the story, and the Mets are betting on it.
The Numbers Beneath the Surface
From 2020 through 2024, Devin Williams wasn’t just good - he was lights out. His 1.70 ERA over that stretch was second only to Emmanuel Clase, and nearly a full run better than Edwin Díaz, who’s reportedly seeking a $100 million deal this winter. Williams was a nightmare for hitters, with a changeup that defied physics and a strikeout rate that rivaled the game’s best.
Even during his down year with the Yankees, the underlying metrics told a different story. Williams still missed bats at an elite rate, kept the ball in the park, and didn’t lose command in any alarming way. His 2.68 FIP - a stat that filters out defense and luck - suggests that the pitcher we saw in 2025 wasn’t as far off from his dominant self as the ERA would have you believe.
A Smart Buy-Low Move by the Mets
That brings us to the Mets, who swooped in and signed Williams at a steep discount - $51 million, a far cry from the nine-figure deal he might’ve commanded had 2025 gone differently. It’s a calculated risk, but one that could pay off big.
The Mets' front office, led by David Stearns, knows exactly what it’s getting. Stearns was in Milwaukee when Williams first broke out, so there’s a level of familiarity here that can’t be overlooked. If anyone understands how to get Williams back to his best, it’s Stearns and his staff.
And this might just be the first domino. With Williams in the fold, the Mets are reportedly looking to reunite with Edwin Díaz - potentially creating one of the most intimidating late-inning duos in baseball. If both pitchers return to form, New York could be locking down the eighth and ninth innings with two of the most electric arms in the game.
A Tale of Two Teams
Meanwhile, the Yankees are left to reflect on a deal that didn’t pan out. Williams’ arrival in the Bronx came at a cost - namely Caleb Durbin, who went on to finish third in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
His absence left a hole at third base, eventually filled by Ryan McMahon, whose $16 million salary for 2026 now looms large on the payroll. That midseason trade also cost the Yankees a promising young arm in Griffin Herring.
It’s fair to wonder: had Williams stayed in Milwaukee, would he have continued on the elite path and cashed in this winter? It’s possible. But now, the Mets are the ones holding the lottery ticket - and they didn’t have to break the bank to get it.
High Risk, High Reward
Let’s not pretend the bullpen is a safe investment. Relievers are notoriously volatile, and committing major dollars to two of them - potentially over $150 million combined if Díaz returns - carries its own risks. But when you’re trying to build a contender, sometimes you have to take big swings.
The Mets are clearly banking on a return to form from Williams, and the numbers suggest it’s far from a pipe dream. If he clicks in Queens the way he did in Milwaukee, this could be one of the most impactful signings of the offseason.
For now, the Mets have added a high-upside arm to a bullpen that’s looking to bounce back in a big way. And if they land Díaz too?
Watch out. This bullpen might be about to cause some serious problems for the rest of the National League.