The New York Yankees made a bold move to acquire Devin Williams last season, but it appears it was for just one season.
Williams is a free agent and is still one of the top relievers available. Several teams will be after him, including the Yankees, who are open to bringing him back.
However, MLB insider Ryan Finkelstein of JustBaseball predicts Williams will leave the Yankees and sign a massive four-year, $60 million deal with the New York Mets.
“My original prediction was that the Williams would sign with the Atlanta Braves, but now that they have re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal, it is fair to take them out of the Devin Williams sweepstakes,” Finkelstein wrote.
“Instead, I will stay in the same division but predict that the New York Mets will win the bidding for Williams. If the Mets lose Edwin Diaz, this suddenly would feel like a slam-dunk fit to replace him. However, there is also the chance the Mets bring back Diaz and still look to spend on a set-up man, and create a pairing that would be tough to beat at the end of games.”
Williams could serve as the Mets closer if Diaz leaves, or if he returns, they could form a dynamic one-two punch at the backend of the bullpen. It would also be a big blow to the Yankees’ bullpen, as Williams did have a ton of success down the stretch
Williams Could Have Opt-Outs in Deal With Mets
If the Mets do sign Williams to the four-year deal, Finkelstein believes it could be shorter.
Williams had an up-and-down season last year, so the insider predicts it could have multiple opt-outs, which could just be a two-year deal.
“Williams very well could take a shorter deal that allows him to get right back to free agency after one good season, but for this deal, we are projecting what a four-year contract could look like,” Finkelstein wrote.
“If the Mets, or any team, commits to four years of Williams at $15 million per, they can likely place an opt-out after the second year instead of the first, guaranteeing two years of his services in the back-end of their bullpen.”
The Mets would bank on Williams being the dominant reliever he was with the Milwaukee Brewers and being a key part of the late-inning plans for the team.
Williams Open to Returning to Yankees
Although Williams had an up-and-down season, he did finish strong with the Yankees.
After he ended strongly, Williams said he’s open to returning to the Yankees in free agency.
“At first it was a challenge, but I’ve grown to love being here,” Williams said. “I love this city. I love taking the (subway) train to the field every day, I really enjoyed my experience here. … There’s a lot to like about this city, but it took me some time to adjust.
“I played in the smallest market in the league (in Milwaukee), to the biggest market in the league. I drove to the field every day; it took me 10 minutes to get there in Milwaukee. There’s just a lot of life stuff that’s an adjustment. I got here (to New York) a day before the season started and had to figure out my routine on the fly. The number of (media) people that want to talk to you, it was different. But I feel like I adjusted pretty well.”
Williams went 4-6 with a 4.79 ERA this season with the Yankees.
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