Although Kyle Tucker is considered the headliner of MLB free agency this offseason, the class also includes several high-leverage relief pitchers.
However, that group has been pared down in recent days with Raisel Iglesias re-signing with the Atlanta Braves, and Ryan Helsley agreeing to terms with the Baltimore Orioles.
That now has been followed by Devin Williams leaving the New York Yankees to sign with the New York Mets, per, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com:
In their pursuit of an improved bullpen, the Mets agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with free-agent reliever Devin Williams, according to multiple sources. The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus, which brings the total guarantee to $51 million, albeit with deferrals.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams connected to Williams this offseason. They also reportedly had interest in Iglesias as well and are said to have made a contract offer similar to the one-year, $16 million deal he received from the Braves.
There’s been a widespread belief that the Dodgers will add a relief pitcher to a bullpen that dealt with inconsistency in 2025. Their interest in Williams dates back to last offseason, when the Milwaukee Brewers decided to trade the right-hander to the Yankees.
Williams said during his introductory press conference with the Yankees that he thought the Dodgers were going to be the team that completed a deal with the Brewers.
Williams is coming off a subpar season with the Yankees in which he went 4-6 with a 4.79 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 18 saves in 22 opportunities. However, he did go on a stretch of nine consecutive scoreless appearances in September.
Williams was removed from the closer role by late April and was inconsistent in late-game situations throughout the entire 2025 season. The Yankees utilized him as a setup man behind David Bednar to finish out the regular season.
What does Devin Williams signing mean for Edwin Díaz?
The Mets signing Williams to a multi-year contract gives them insurance in the event Díaz leaves the team in free agency. He’s the most established closer still available in free agency and there’s some belief the Mets could still re-sign Díaz.
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