The New York Mets are signing reliever Devin Williams to a 3 year, $51M deal to bolster their bullpen in 2026 the club announced.
Williams will receive a $6M signing bonus as part of the deal, with the pact featuring no opt outs. In signing the former All-Star, New York now has an insurance plan should closer Edwin Diaz sign elsewhere this offseason. If the Mets are able to bring back Diaz in 2026, Williams could work as a set up man, providing manager Carlos Mendoza with some intriguing late game options.
The 31 year old struggled in his first season outside out Milwaukee, posting a career worse 4.79 ERA in his debut as a Yankee. The Mets however are banking on a return to form in Queens, as Williams was one of the most dominant relievers in the Majors from 2022-2024, earning 2x All-Star trips and some down ballot MVP consideration for his efforts.
By joining the Mets, Williams also reunites with President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, who was previously in the same role for the righty’s first 4 seasons in Milwaukee. That level of familiarity is likely what led to New York having confidence in doling out a multi-year deal with no opt outs for either the player or team despite his down season.
Williams did strike out nearly 40% of the batters he faced in the second half of the season, posting the 2nd best mark in the Majors behind only Mason Miller. He then followed that up by twirling 4 scoreless innings in the postseason as well. Evidently Stearns believes that whatever early season struggles the former second round pick faced, he figured out down the stretch.
The veteran reliever relies on two pitches to strike out opponents. A fastball which usually sits somewhere in the 94mph range, and then a devastating changeup/screwball dubbed “The Airbender” due to its unique flight pattern. Opponents have hit below .200 against that pitch in each of Williams full professional seasons, ranking it amongst the most effective pitches in the big leagues.
With the signing, initial estimates of the Mets’ 2026 payroll and luxury tax commitments put the team somewhere in the $277-280M range. That number however is expected to get pushed north of the $304M final surcharge threshold by the time they finish up their other additions to the lineup which could include Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz making returns to the team.
Photo: Marianne O’Leary. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.