The New York Mets have reached an agreement with free agent closer Devin Williams on a substantial three-year contract reportedly worth over $50 million. According to reports from Will Sammon of The Athletic and ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal includes a $6 million signing bonus with $5 million in annual deferrals, resulting in a total guarantee of $51 million, structured as $15 million salaries for each year.
This signing marks a return for Williams to New York after a challenging season with the Yankees, where he struggled with a career-high 4.79 earned run average over 67 appearances. The Mets are optimistic that this figure is a one-off, relying on Williams’ formidable pitching skills and strong swing-and-miss rates to recapture the elite form he demonstrated during his earlier tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Drafted in the second round by Milwaukee in 2013, Williams initially took time to develop in the minor leagues as a starter. His career took a turn when he transitioned to the bullpen in 2019, quickly ascending from Double-A to the major leagues within that season. By his first full season in the big leagues, he had established himself as a premier late-game option, showcasing an impressive 0.33 ERA over 27 innings during the shortened 2020 season and winning both the National League Rookie and Reliever of the Year Awards.
Williams continued to excel in subsequent seasons, forming a powerful duo with Josh Hader in Milwaukee. He took over as the primary closer when Hader was traded to San Diego, amassing 36 saves in 40 attempts and boasting a remarkable 1.53 ERA, which earned him his second Reliever of the Year title.
Throughout his first four full major league seasons, Williams compiled a 1.75 ERA while striking out an impressive 40.5% of hitters across more than 200 innings. As the 2024 season approaches, many analysts have touted him as one of the premier relievers in Major League Baseball. However, he faced challenges during Spring Training due to stress fractures in his back, delaying his season debut until just before the trade deadline.
Williams displayed his dominance during the regular season, pitching 21 2/3 innings with only three runs allowed while amassing 38 strikeouts. Unfortunately, his season ended on a sour note when he allowed a decisive home run to Pete Alonso in the Wild Card Series against the Mets.
Following this setback, Williams was traded to the Yankees in a deal that saw veteran starter Nestor Cortes and rookie Caleb Durbin move to Milwaukee. The Yankees were hopeful they were securing one of the league’s top relievers, but Williams struggled to meet those high expectations during his inconsistent first season in New York.
As the Mets welcome Williams, they are banking on his past successes to bolster their bullpen and turn around his recent fortunes, highlighting a hopeful outlook for the coming season.