Will Devin Williams Fare Better with The Mets Than He Did with The Yankees?

Last night, relief pitcher Devin Williams signed a 3-year, $51 million contract with the New York Mets.

Nearly one year ago, Williams was acquired by the crosstown New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher Nestor Cortes, Jr. and infielder Caleb Durbin. Here is part of my assessment of the trade at the time:

From where I sit this could be an even trade. Williams and Cortes are free agents after 2025. So, it could be one and done for pitchers. On the other hand, it remains to be seen if Williams can handle the New York spotlight. As for Cortes, I think he will be comfortable pitching in Milwaukee and will add depth to that rotation. Another factor which could give the Brewers the edge in this deal is the fate of Caleb Durbin. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2019, Durbin spent most of 2024 in AAA ball. With Willy Adames having departed for the Giants, perhaps Durbin will get his big break.

Well, as far as Williams and Cortes, Jr. were concerned it was an even trade as both pitchers had disappointing seasons. I felt sorry for Cortes, Jr. after he gave up 5 HR against his old club during his debut with the Brewers. Cortes, Jr. only pitched in one other game in a Brewers uniform before getting hurt and eventually being shipped off to the San Diego Padres. Last month, he had arm surgery and will most of the 2026 season. The trade, however, wasn't a total loss for the Brewers as Durbin enjoyed an excellent rookie campaign finishing 3rd in NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

Unfortunately, this ultimately means that the Yankees got the worst of this deal. Williams, who earned NL Rookie of the Year honors during the COVID shortened 2020 season, proved ineffective out of the bullpen and lost the closer role not once, but twice in 2025. Williams first lost the job in late April, regaining in early June only to lose it again in late July once the club acquired David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Complicating matters was Williams' role in ending the club's ban on beards. After posting sub 2.00 ERAs each of the previous three seasons in Milwaukee, Williams had an ugly 4.79 ERA in 2025.

Now that Williams has gone from the Bronx to Queens, the question remains if he can handle the New York spotlight or if he is better suited as a setup man going forward. After all, the Mets are still keen on re-signing longtime closer Edwin Diaz but it remains to be seen if the club is prepared to grant him a five-year deal. Diaz opted out of his contract with the Mets last month which would have seen the club owe him $38 million over the next two seasons.

If Diaz does return to the Mets, then it is very likely that Williams will be Diaz's setup man. If the Mets cannot re-sign Diaz, then do they hand the closer's job to Williams? Or do they pursue another free agent such as Kenley Jansen who saved 29 games for the Los Angeles Angels this past season? Should the Mets pursue the latter course of action could it further affect Williams' confidence by indicating the team doesn't have faith in him as a closer? Or does Williams accept his role as a setup man and be content with his $51 million to pitch in that role? There are worse choices one can face.