The New York Yankees made a bold trade to acquire Devin Williams last offseason in a big move.
Williams was set to be the Yankees’ closer and help solidify the backend of the bullpen. But he struggled to adjust to New York, but down the stretch and in the playoffs, he was much better.
Yet, after an up-and-down season, Williams is now a free agent and could walk in free agency. MLB insider Anthony Franco predicts Williams will sign a four-year, $68 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency.
“Williams concluded the regular season with a 4.79 ERA,” the article read. “He recorded 18 saves and 15 holds while blowing four leads and taking the loss six times. The results clearly weren’t what the Yankees expected. That said, there will be teams that still feel Williams isn’t far away from the form that made him one of the top five relievers in the game. …
“There’s precedent for an elite reliever to have an ERA spike and then bounce back. Edwin Diaz had a 5.59 ERA in 2019 then was at 1.75 the next year. Hader had a 5.22 ERA in 2022 and then finished the following year at 1.28. Smart clubs may see this as a chance to get a premium talent when his market is a bit soft. Understandably, Williams’ time in New York went poorly enough that the Yankees chose not to issue a qualifying offer. That supports Williams pursuing the best possible multiyear deal this winter, as an elite bounceback season in 2026 would surely result in a QO.”
Williams would have a chance to compete for the Blue Jays’ closer role with Jeff Hoffman, but could be a set-up man in Toronto. Yet, it does appear that he will be leaving the Yankees in free agency.
Williams Keeping Door Open on Yankees Reunion
Although Williams had a very up-and-down season with the Yankees, but he’s keeping the door open to return.
Williams did have more success down the stretch, as he said he got comfortable pitching in a big market.
“I played in the smallest market in the league (in Milwaukee), to the biggest market in the league,” Williams said. “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.”
With Williams more comfortable in New York, he is open to the idea of returning to the Yankees.
“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.”
Williams is a two-time NL Reliever of the Year.
Blue Jays Open to Making a Change at Closer
Toronto lost in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and in Game 7, Jeff Hoffman gave up a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth.
Hoffman had struggled with home runs all season, and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said they are open to having a new closer in 2026.
“The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to (closing),” Atkins said on Thursday. “Talking about that cohesion and that team approach, he epitomizes it. I think he would be open to anything that makes us better.”
Hoffman finished the year going 9-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 71 games.
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