When the lights shine brightest in New York, not every star glows. Devin Williams, once the master of deception on the mound, is packing his bags again, this time for Citi Field, after a rough and humbling campaign in the Bronx. According to reports, Williams has agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with the Mets, sweetened by up to $6 million in bonuses and $15 million in deferred money. For the Mets, it’s a gamble on brilliance that’s momentarily lost its way, and a shot across the bow at their crosstown rivals.
From Bronx Letdown to Queens Redemption?
Williams is no stranger to dominance. A two-time All-Star, former Rookie of the Year, and twice named National League Reliever of the Year, he carved out a reputation in Milwaukee as one of the most baffling pitchers in the game. Hitters flailed at his otherworldly changeup, a pitch so elusive it often looked like a screwball from another era. His 1.83 ERA across six seasons with the Brewers was more than elite; it was historic.
A Collapse in the Bronx – But Flashes of Old Brilliance
But the Bronx was unkind. Was it the pressure, the spotlight, or the expectations? Whatever the reason, the magic unraveled. Williams lost his closer job and saw his ERA balloon to a shocking 4.79, the worst of his career by far. And yet, even amidst the turbulence, there were flashes of his old self: a 34.7% strikeout rate and the lowest walk rate he’s posted since 2020. The tools are there, just not the consistency.
Diaz in Limbo as the Mets Bet Big on a Bounce Back
So what do the Mets see? Opportunity, perhaps. With Edwin Diaz’s future uncertain after opting out of his contract, the bullpen needs an anchor. Diaz, who posted a sterling 1.63 ERA in 2025, might return, or he might be lured elsewhere. Either way, Williams provides both insurance and intrigue. If the Mets can help him rediscover his Milwaukee form, they may have just stolen another Bronx star for a fraction of the cost.
Indeed, it’s starting to feel like a trend. Williams becomes the second major Yankee addition to jump ship to Queens within a year. Juan Soto’s stunning 15-year, $765 million deal last offseason set the tone. Now, Williams follows suit, not with the same fanfare, but with the same undercurrent: the Mets are tired of playing second fiddle.
Camilo Doval’s arrival in the Bronx likely made Williams expendable, but the Mets aren’t complaining. They’re betting that one bad year doesn’t erase a career of dominance, and that New York, at least in Queens, still has room for redemption.
