The Mets have agreed to a three-year deal with free-agent reliever Devin Williams, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Monday night. The club has not confirmed the move. The contract does not contain any options or opt-outs, per a source.
Williams heads across town from the rival Yankees, where he spent all of last season. The Mets remain interested in re-signing closer Edwin Díaz even after this move, a source told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. Williams is open to pitching in a setup role, which he did at times for the Yanks last season.
On the surface, Williams had the worst season of his career in 2025. In 67 appearances after being dealt from the Brewers to the Yankees the prior December, the right-hander posted a 4.79 ERA — he had entered the 2025 campaign with a career ERA of 1.83 in six seasons with Milwaukee.
The signature “airbender” changeup Williams is well known for was still effective in 2025, though not quite as dominant as in years past — opponents hit .194 against the pitch last season and it generated a 37.3% whiff rate.
Primarily a two-pitch pitcher with a mid-90s four-seam fastball and the changeup, Williams used the changeup more than the four-seamer last season, as he’s done for most of his career — 52.4% to 47.4%
Williams’ results toward the end of the regular season were encouraging. Over his final nine appearances, he didn’t give up a run while walking two and striking out 12 in nine innings. The two-time All-Star then appeared in four postseason games for the Yankees, throwing four more scoreless frames.
During his seven-year Major League career, Williams has been relatively durable, outside of the 2024 season, when he missed significant time due to stress fractures in his back. He made his season debut on July 28, and in 22 appearances the rest of that season with Milwaukee, he posted a 1.25 ERA and struck out 43.2% of the batters he faced.
Considering his track record, there’s plenty of reason to believe Williams could have a bounce-back campaign at age 31 in 2026.
