QUEENS GOES WILD: Mets Land Devin Williams on $51 Million Pact, Turning Pressure into Promise.vc

FLUSHING, NY — The New York Mets have delivered a massive declaration to the league, reaching an agreement with star reliever Devin Williams on a three-year contract worth a guaranteed $51 million (with some outlets reporting $50+ million).

The signature instantly converts pressure into promise in Queens, injecting elite stability into a bullpen that lacked a reliable anchor in 2025 and sparking a furious celebration among Mets fans tonight, who are welcoming their new potential ninth-inning nightmare.

The Deal: A High-Stakes Bet on an Elite Arm

The Mets, under President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, made a calculated bet on the underlying talent of the two-time NL Reliever of the Year, despite his uneven 2025 season with the Yankees (where he posted a career-worst $4.79$ ERA).

• Contract Structure: The deal is reportedly for three years, $51 million guaranteed, featuring a $17 million Average Annual Value (AAV) and including deferrals. Crucially, the deal contains no opt-outs or options, ensuring Williams stays in Queens for the duration.
• The ‘Buy Low’ Analytics: Stearns, who knows Williams well from his time leading the Brewers, focused on the elite underlying metrics. Despite the high ERA, Williams still posted an excellent $2.68$ FIP (Fielder Independent Pitching), suggesting his struggles were largely due to bad luck and poor defense—factors the Mets are banking on correcting.
• A Declaration in the Ninth: The signing sends a clear message: Mets owner Steve Cohen is determined to fix the bullpen. Williams, known for his devastating “Airbender” changeup and elite strikeout rate, immediately becomes the most established reliever on the roster.

The Edwin Díaz Domino

The blockbuster signing, which saw Williams cross town from the Yankees, is widely viewed as a shrewd move that offers the Mets the ultimate protection in the high-stakes pursuit of Edwin Díaz.

• Closer or Setup Man? Williams is getting paid like a closer. However, sources indicate Williams is open to pitching in a setup role if the Mets manage to re-sign Díaz, creating a potential “Super Bullpen” that would shut down games from the 7th inning on.
• The Safe Landing: If the Mets and Díaz (who is seeking a deal close to $100 million) fail to reach an agreement, the team has secured a proven, high-leverage arm as a reliable replacement, avoiding the disaster of watching both top closers leave.

For a Mets fanbase that has endured bullpen instability, the acquisition of a pitcher who possesses the highest swing-and-miss stuff in the game—and who finished 2025 with four consecutive scoreless playoff outings—means the pressure is now on the opposition in the late innings.