The New York Mets have bolstered their bullpen for the 2026 MLB season. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on December 1, citing league sources, that reliever Devin Williams agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets.
Moreover, the Passan report adds that the contract has no opt-outs or options, but it includes a $6 million signing bonus spread over the three seasons. Williams’ role hinges on the Mets’ decision regarding Diaz, who opted out of his contract last month and is widely regarded as the top free agent reliever this offseason.
Passan also reports, citing sources, that the addition of Williams does not erase the possibility of a reunion with Diaz, and the Mets remain interested in bringing him back.
Once the reports emerged confirming that the Mets had signed Williams, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden appeared on the December 1 edition of “CBS Sports HQ” to share his thoughts on the move.
“I’m not surprised because the Mets president, David Stearns, had Devin Williams as his closer when he was running the Milwaukee Brewers, and they had a very good personal and professional relationship during that time,” Bowden said. “Devin Williams was one of the best closers in the game when David Stearns was running Milwaukee.
“This is a guy that he was targeting. I thought he did a really good job in the contract. It’s basically a $6 million signing bonus and three years at $45 million, which makes it about a $51 million deal. And I think it’s worth it.”
Devin Williams Will Look to Bounce Back With the Mets
Williams endured a career-high 4.79 ERA across 67 appearances for the New York Yankees, marking his toughest season on the mound. Still, the underlying stats tell a different story: A 2.68 FIP, a .195 expected batting average against, and top-tier strikeout, whiff, and chase rates indicate his ERA may overstate his struggles.
Though he converted 18 of 22 save opportunities for the Yankees, he ended up splitting closing duties for much of the season after a rocky start, despite beginning 2025 as the team’s primary closer.
Despite the player’s rollercoaster season with the Yankees, Bowden gave a promising outlook for Williams ahead of the 2026 season.
“Last year, Devin’s first year in New York, he struggled, and he’s the first one to tell you that, but he settled down,” Bowden added. “He ended up loving pitching in New York. He took the train to the ballpark every day. Now he’ll be taking the Seven Train, of course, to the Mets games. But his last 19 appearances, he only gave up two runs.
“Velocity was back by the end of the year, and that changeup, which is one of the best in the game, was locked down by the end of the year again. So, I’m expecting a bounce-back year for him with the New York Mets.”
Devin Williams Looks to Rediscover Brewers Form
With the Mets, Williams aims to regain the form that established him as one of the top relievers in the game during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. Over six seasons in Milwaukee, he first served as a setup man for star closer Josh Hader before stepping into Hader’s role himself.
Williams burst onto the scene by winning the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2020, recording a 0.33 ERA across 22 appearances, and later earned two NL All-Star selections. In the three seasons leading up to his trade to the Yankees, he compiled a 15-7 record with 65 saves and an outstanding 1.66 ERA.
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