Devin Williams Linked to Mets Amidst Yankees Departure Speculations

As the offseason begins, speculation is swirling around New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams, who may be poised to leave the team for their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Tuesday that the Mets are considering a move for Williams after he ended last season with a career-high 4.79 ERA over 67 appearances.

Mets owner Steve Cohen is not without competition in his pursuit of Williams, as the reliever reportedly has interest from several teams across the country. Among the potential suitors are the two-time reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are eager to strengthen their bullpen.

Williams himself expressed a desire to head to Los Angeles after his trade to the Yankees in December 2025, hinting at his intentions before the recent reports. However, there is a significant connection between Williams and the Mets, particularly with president of baseball operations David Stearns, who had a five-year overlap with Williams during their time at the Milwaukee Brewers.

Despite an uptick in his ERA since joining the Yankees, metrics suggest that Williams still possesses the ability to contribute effectively to a major league bullpen. Notably, he ranked in the 96th percentile or higher in several key statistics, including chase percentage (35%), whiff percentage (37.7%), and strike percentage (34.7%).

MLB's Mark Feinsand also highlighted that Williams' expected ERA was significantly lower at 3.09, suggesting that many of the runs scored against him came from inherited baserunners, as 70% of the runners were on base when he entered the game.

With the Mets at risk of losing star closer Edwin Díaz to free agency, the addition of Williams could be a strategic move to maintain a strong bullpen as they head into the 2026 season.