Transitioning to the New York Mets, Williams believes the lessons learned from adversity will guide him forward. “Mental toughness,’’ he said after a team workout at Clover Park. “I wasn’t executing and I was getting bad results. It got pretty tough there, but I got through it and was throwing the ball really well by the end of the year.”

Williams finished the 2025 season with nine consecutive scoreless appearances in the regular season, primarily setting up closer David Bednar, and added four more scoreless appearances in the playoffs. He hopes this stretch proves he can return to his standard of performance. “Probably that last stretch of games, that was me, that’s my standard,’’ he said. “I was executing the way I need to.”

Can Williams overcome past struggles to thrive in New York?

The right-hander is ready for the challenge of adapting to a new bullpen and proving himself in Citi Field. Carlos Mendoza noted the adjustments Williams made last year to handle adversity. “He’s been a guy. Last year wasn’t easy for him at the beginning and he made some adjustments,” Mendoza said.

Will lessons from adversity shape his Mets season?

Williams reflects on tougher times earlier in his career, particularly 2018 in the minors after Tommy John surgery. “There were times I was ready to quit in ’18,’’ he said. “I came back from [surgery] and was terrible and wanted to go home. Every day wasn’t good. But I got through that, got to the big leagues [in 2019] and the rest is history.” He hopes that resilience will carry him through his first full season with New York, helping him solidify his role in the bullpen.

Robert Suarez could’ve been a key addition to the Mets’ pitching rotation. However, New York missed its chance to land the two-time All-Star pitcher. As reported, it wasn’t so much a swing and a miss as it was the Mets getting caught looking. In the end, another team came through, as the Atlanta Braves signed Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract.

“Mets only discussed concepts with Robert Suarez,” insider Jon Heyman stated on X. “They apparently weren’t anxious to pay more than they paid Williams. Suarez ultimately got $45M from Braves. Williams’ $51M deal is worth about $44M considering deferrals.“

After signing Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal, the Mets made a big splash at the pitching position. Though New York could still use bullpen help, it seems the Mets aren’t eager to allocate that much money on another pitcher. At the very least, not on Suarez.

Relief market stays busy

After a signing frenzy during the Winter Meetings, the MLB offseason is showing no signs of cooling down anytime soon. If free agency ever was like a grocery store, relievers are now flying off the shelves.

Late-inning pitchers aren’t exactly going for cheap, nor are they on sale, but it’s triggered a domino effect in which every team needs, wants, or suddenly believes it needs a closer. Psychology and marketing may explain this phenomenon better, yet one thing is clear: every front office in MLB is now feeling its effects.

New York could sign two pitchers for the price of one

Though missing out on Suarez may come back to bite the Mets often in the 2026 MLB season, that’s water under the bridge. The team in Queens must put it in the back burner and move on. Because the rest of the league won’t slow down anytime soon. If the Mets dwell on it for too long, they will be left with no suitable targets left in free agency. On that note, two potential signings are still available: Pete Fairbanks and Tyler Rogers.

“Signing both Fairbanks and Rogers shouldn’t be out of the question for the Mets,” Sports Illustrated stated. “It would give them five very talented relief pitchers that can get big outs.“

Retaining Rogers—whom the Mets acquired in a deadline trade—could be huge for owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns. With the noise only growing louder outside Citi Field, finally having something go New York’s way this offseason would be crucial. Fans won’t forgive losing the trio of Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, and Brandon Nimmo, but it could help repair the now-damaged relationship between the fanbase and the front office.

Williams, known for his high-leverage work, has spent most of his MLB career as a closer, though he lost that role mid-season with the Yankees due to inconsistent performance. He rebounded late in 2025 in a set-up role, which ultimately made him an attractive option for the Mets.

The acquisition of Williams does not appear to impact New York’s pursuit of Diaz. However, it provides the team with a strong late-inning arm if Diaz ultimately signs elsewhere, ensuring stability at the back end of the bullpen.

Devin Williams’ comments on Mets role

During his introductory press conference on December 5, Williams addressed questions about his role with the Mets, particularly if Diaz were to return as closer. “Yeah. Like I said, I think it’s just a good situation. If [Diaz] comes back, I think we’re going to have a really good back end of the ‘pen. So, more good arms is always a good thing. That’s really it,” Williams said, according to an X post from SNY.

This statement demonstrates that Williams prioritizes team success over personal accolades. He seems comfortable in a setup role, even if Diaz returns to assume closer duties, signaling a team-first mentality that Mets fans will appreciate.

Implications for the Mets’ Bullpen

Williams’ attitude suggests the Mets could field one of the strongest back ends in the league if they re-sign Diaz. The combination of both pitchers would provide New York with flexibility and reliability in high-pressure situations, which is crucial for a playoff push.

Ultimately, the realization of this ideal bullpen scenario hinges on the Mets securing Diaz’s return. Until then, Williams’ willingness to adapt showcases the team-first mindset the organization hopes will translate into sustained success.

The 31-year-old reliever officially landed a multi-year contract with the New York Mets on Monday night, solidifying his future in Queens after spending last season across town in the Bronx. His choice is especially meaningful considering the scrutiny he endured throughout 2025, a year marked by inconsistency and a shift out of the closer role.

According to reporting from The Athletic, Williams’ decision came despite having ample opportunities to pitch in smaller, less demanding markets. His free agency was far more active than many anticipated, setting the stage for a competitive pursuit of his services.

Williams’ decision

As Will Sammon detailed, Williams’ return to New York was entirely intentional. “In agreeing to a three-year deal worth $51 million with the New York Mets, per league sources, Williams is choosing to return to the city where, with the Yankees last season, he experienced a full sampling of boos and cheers,” Sammon wrote.

Sammon added that Williams had no shortage of alternatives. “He didn’t have to. He had other options. Williams received at least five other offers from teams with glaring needs at closer, league sources said.” Those offers indicate that Williams’ reputation across MLB remains strong despite a challenging year statistically.

Why the Mets moved aggressively

Throughout his career, Williams has built an impressive résumé. He owns a 2.45 ERA over 297.2 innings and posted a remarkable 1.83 ERA during his six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. His tenure in Milwaukee also connects directly to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who previously led the Brewers’ front office.

Despite adding Williams, the Mets have not closed the door on retaining longtime closer Edwin Díaz. As Sammon noted: “Williams chose the Mets on Monday night, not knowing whether he would be used as an ace setup option ahead of Edwin Díaz or as a closer replacing Díaz.”

The Mets have been among the most active teams to open the offseason, making several roster upgrades and signaling that further moves remain possible. With Williams now in the fold, New York’s bullpen picture has grown significantly more intriguing.

Even with Williams secured, the conversation around New York quickly turned to Edwin Díaz. The Mets’ posture suggested the move was not a replacement but part of a broader plan to stack premium arms in high-leverage spots. That possibility grew stronger as league insiders began weighing in on the club’s intentions.

The most direct signal came from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, who evaluated the Williams deal and added a telling assessment: “So far, it seems the Mets are certainly open to signing Edwin Díaz as well and what a bullpen they would have in that case.” His remark underscored a growing belief that New York is preparing to pair its new acquisition with its longtime closer.

Are the Mets building a two-closer model?

Morosi’s view aligns with the Mets’ pattern of aggressive bullpen investment. A Williams-Díaz combination would shorten games, reduce matchup exposure, and reflect a modern postseason-style approach across a full season. It also signals the club’s willingness to allocate significant payroll to the back end while continuing to address rotation and lineup needs.

What comes next in New York’s offseason?

The Mets’ strategy points toward an offseason centered on securing Díaz before turning to supplementary upgrades. With both opportunity and urgency shaping the market, New York appears committed to constructing a bullpen capable of shifting close games in its favor as it prepares for a pivotal 2026 campaign.

The turning point came in the eighth inning. Reliever Devin Williams, trusted to hold the line, saw his night spiral after a Carlos Correa double, three walks, and a disputed strike zone. Frustration mounted as Taylor Trammell drew a bases-loaded walk on five pitches, forcing in the go-ahead run. Moments later, Williams and manager Aaron Boone were both ejected, leaving the Yankees searching for answers.

Despite the chaos, the Yankees kept fighting. Austin Wells provided offensive firepower with a two-run homer and two doubles, while Cody Bellinger’s ninth-inning blast cut the deficit to one. But Houston’s insurance runs in the eighth proved decisive, and a final strike call against Jazz Chisholm Jr. ended the rally.

Did umpiring decisions decide the game?

Williams made no effort to hide his frustration after the loss. “You missed four,” he recalled according to MLB.com, telling home-plate umpire Brian Walsh before being tossed. The right-hander insisted several crucial calls altered the inning’s outcome. “When you’re making good pitches, which I was, not getting those calls really changes the course of an at-bat.”

How did Boone see the collapse?

Boone, who had been ejected alongside his reliever, struck a calmer tone afterward. “Obviously, a tough inning,” he said. “Thought [Devin] was throwing the ball well. Real competitive at-bats—even the walks. A lot of close pitches. They got the best of us tonight.”

The Yankees’ manager also credited Houston for grinding through at-bats late. Still, his club’s eight-game home winning streak came to a halt at a costly time in the division race.

What’s next for New York?

The Yankees, now 3 1/2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East, face little margin for error heading into a crucial weekend set. Boone’s group will need steadier bullpen execution and, they hope, a more consistent strike zone if they are to keep pace in a tightening playoff chase.

The fan base is increasingly concerned about the team’s postseason hopes, especially with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox currently ahead of the Bronx Bombers in the American League East standings.

Some individual player performances underscore the Yankees’ struggles. Notable rookie Anthony Volpe has delivered offensively in recent matchups, yet defensively, he leads the league with 16 errors committed. This duality highlights the team’s current inconsistencies.

Despite Aaron Judge having an impressive season statistically, not all his teammates have matched this performance level. This lack of balanced contribution makes it challenging for head coach Aaron Boone to steer the team back on a winning track.

Williams himself exemplifies these struggles. This season, Williams has given up 24 earned runs with the Yankees, which is nearing the total he allowed in his last three seasons combined with the Milwaukee Brewers. This represents a career-worst for him, indicating perhaps a temporary downturn rather than a sustained slump, given the season’s continuation.

Williams’ season stats

As a significant addition to the Yankees this season, Williams has struggled to meet expectations. His performance, along with that of many of his teammates, reflects broader issues within the team. The Yankees’ challenges are as much about individual performances not aligning as they are about enduring a tough stretch.

In 46 games this season, Williams holds a 5.10 ERA, surrendering 31 hits and 26 runs, including four home runs. Coupled with 17 walks, one intentional, and 55 strikeouts, Williams’ current statistics contrast sharply with the 1.83 ERA he maintained over six seasons with the Brewers.

Williams reflects on his performance

Following a recent loss to the Texas Rangers, Williams expressed discomfort with his recent performances. While addressing the media, he appeared visibly affected by his current form with the Yankees.

“Those last pitches really hurt me,” Williams admitted post-game. Despite starting the season strong, his statistics have since faltered, contributing to a difficult period for the Yankees. The team remains focused on overcoming these hurdles to secure a postseason berth.

Following the game, criticism of Williams was expected. While Aaron Boone came out with a strong statement to defend the Yankees, the Bombers’ closer was more concise and subdued about the team’s struggles.

“Things haven’t gone been going well for awhile now,” Williams said. When asked about facing Pederson in the bottom of the ninth, he simply commented that the Rangers player “obviously, he did what he did,” referring to his inability to handle the situation from the mound.

Williams Acknowledges Teammates’ Awareness

In addition to admitting the Yankees‘ situation is not good, Williams clarified that his teammates are also aware of the struggles. “I think everyone is well aware of that,” he said. He also confessed he is putting in the effort, adding, “I will say that I tried my best. Sometimes that leads to the opposite outcome.”

Williams affirmed that he feels fine physically, noting that the at-bat against Pederson was the true turning point for him during the game against the Rangers. For him, the Yankees need to start playing better to get out of their current slump. “Playing clean baseball, playing smart baseball,” Williams told YES Network.

Not the First Time for Williams

This isn’t the first time Williams has been criticized for blowing important leads. Recently against the Tampa Bay Rays, the team was winning 2-1, but things went downhill after he took the mound. In a similar situation in April, also against Tampa, the Yankees were leading 8-4 before he lost control of the game.

The triumph ended a three-game losing streak and placed the Yankees at a 20-16 record, keeping them at the top of the American League East. With their impressive power-hitting, ranking first in baseball for home runs and OPS, the Yankees seem poised for a strong season.

However, despite the team’s offensive prowess, one of the lingering concerns has been the performance of closer Devin Williams. Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason, Williams has struggled to find his rhythm, posting a 10.03 ERA.

His inability to close games effectively has cost the Yankees crucial wins, most notably during a 4-3 loss to the Padres on Monday when the team squandered a 3-0 lead. Williams’ struggles have left a mark on the Yankees’ overall performance, keeping them from a more dominant position despite their impressive offensive output.

Boone’s verdict

Before the Yankees’ dominant victory over the Padres, manager Aaron Boone continued to express his support for the struggling closer, though his words carried a sense of urgency.

“I still maintain that this is not a pitcher we’re trying to reinvent or a guy who’s past his prime,” Boone said according to The Post. “I feel like it’s very close. It’s about controlling counts a little better, and once he does that, he’ll ascend quickly.” Boone’s faith in Williams hasn’t wavered, but the Yankees’ manager knows that the 28-year-old pitcher must regain control of his command in order to thrive in the high-pressure environment of New York.

A Hopeful Future, but Time Running Out

The Yankees signed Williams with the expectation that he would fill the closer role, with Luke Weaver serving as the setup man. Weaver had proven himself in 2024 as a reliable late-inning pitcher after Clay Holmes was demoted following a rough stretch.

While Boone and the Yankees remain hopeful that Williams can regain his form, there is only so much they can do to help him regain his confidence. The clock is ticking for the struggling closer, and the pressure to perform in Yankees mounting.

While Carlos Rodon delivered one of his most composed performances of the season—6 2/3 scoreless innings—the bullpen couldn’t seal the deal. In the eighth, reliever Devin Williams surrendered the lead, giving up three runs on one hit and a pair of walks. Yet rather than expressing frustration, Rodón extended something far more valuable: empathy.

Few understand the weight of the Yankees’ pinstripes like Rodon. The left-hander endured heavy scrutiny throughout his first two seasons in New York, often falling short of expectations. Now, with his form resurgent, Rodon sees a chance to use that journey to support others navigating the same turbulence. “I’ve been through it,” Rodón admitted postgame. “I know what that feels like. It’s not easy. But we acquired him for a reason. He’s such a great pitcher.”

Rodon wasn’t simply trying to smooth over a loss. His words reflected lived experience—something Williams, newly demoted from the closer role, likely needed to hear. The numbers haven’t been kind to the two-time NL Reliever of the Year. “He just needs to build that confidence, and he needs to know what kind of pitcher he is,” Rodón added. “He’s so good. He’s tremendous. He has an unbelievable changeup.”

From Milwaukee calm to New York chaos

Williams arrived from Milwaukee, where he flourished in a smaller market with less media glare. In the Bronx, however, every pitch is magnified. And Rodon knows how quickly public opinion can shift. “Just go out there and pitch with some swagger,” was his best advice. “They’ll boo you, sure, but they’ll love you when you do well too.”

For Williams, the message landed. Though disappointed, the reliever remained resilient. “I am ready to go out there tomorrow,” Williams said.

A veteran voice when it matters most

The loss might sting, but the moment revealed something critical for the Yankees: Rodon is emerging not only as a dependable arm—but as a veteran voice willing to stand up for his teammates in moments of adversity. As Yankees look to rebound, they’ll need both pitchers.

Williams nearly gave up an Opening Day win against the Milwaukee Brewers, took a loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday, and allowed three runs in the ninth inning on Wednesday before Mark Leiter Jr. bailed him out. Entering Friday’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium, Williams had allowed four earned runs, five hits, and four walks in just three innings — leading to a staggering 12.00 ERA.

That stands in stark contrast to his performance last season, when — after returning from a back injury in late July — he surrendered just three earned runs over 21 2/3 innings, giving up 10 hits and 11 walks while posting a stellar 1.25 ERA.

“He’s our closer,” Boone reiterated Friday, per The New York Post. “He’s going to get through this.” The early part of Williams’ Yankees tenure has revealed a more vulnerable side of a pitcher long considered one of MLB’s elite relievers. Through four appearances, he has yet to record a clean inning — a surprising development for someone renowned for his dominance in the late innings.

Boone: Pinpointing the problem

Boone believes Williams’ struggles boil down to a lack of consistency in the strike zone. “It’s just that next level of strike-throwing,” Boone explained, while reaffirming his trust in the closer’s ability to adjust.

Although Williams’ signature changeup is generating similar speed, spin, and vertical break as in previous seasons, opposing hitters have gone 2-for-5 against it and are striking out only 25 percent of the time on that pitch — a significant drop for what has long been his primary weapon.

“I feel like the depth’s there to it. I’m seeing a lot of good ones,” Boone added.
“Look, I did think Detroit took some really good at-bats [on Wednesday] where they laid off some tough ones, which changes the leverage of the at-bat. But again, I think it’s as simple as that next layer of strike-throwing — where he’s dictating counts. And now he gets unpredictable. If they want to sell out on the changeup, the fastball really plays for him.”

What next’s for Williams?

Boone remains confident that once Williams improves his command, he’ll return to being a dominant ninth-inning option. “Once he does that, we’ll be in a good spot,” Boone concluded, projecting patience and optimism as Williams works to regain his elite form.