Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal SentinelTue, December 2, 2025 at 3:38 AM UTC·2 min readFormer Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams is staying in New York, but changing the hue of his pinstripes.
Williams, who often struggled with the Yankees after being traded before the 2025 season, will pitch for the Mets in 2026.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementReunited with David Stearns, who was general manager of the Brewers from 2015-2022, Williams signed a three-year deal with the Mets for at least $51 million, including a $6 million signing bonus Dec. 1. The Athletic was the first to report the move. New York had strong interest in Williams because all-star closer Edwin Diaz opted out of his contract at the end of last season. The acquisition of Williams likely means that the Mets are not re-signing Diaz.
After winning the 2020 National League Rookie of the Year with a 0.33 ERA in a shortened season, Williams took over the Brewers closer role after Milwaukee traded Josh Hader in 2022. He had a 1.83 ERA and 68 career saves with the Brewers from 2019-2024 including 36 saves and a 1.53 ERA in 2023. Due to injury, he only pitched in 19 games for the Brewers in 2024, saving 14 games with a 1.25 ERA 21⅔ innings.
However, in Williams' last appearance with the Brewers, in Game 3 of the NL wild-card series, he allowed a three-run homer to the Mets' Pete Alonso that eliminated the Brewers from the postseason.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWilliams was expected to provide similar all-star type numbers for the Yankees when he was traded for Caleb Durbin and Nestor Cortes. However, his season in the Bronx got off to a rocky start and was full of turbulence. He was eventually removed from the ninth-inning role and the Yankees traded for Pittsburgh reliever David Bednar at the deadline.
Williams finished with a 4.79 ERA and 18 saves in 67 games. He had an impressive 90 strikeouts in 62 innings, but also allowed 33 earned runs, more than the three previous seasons combined with the Brewers.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Brewers closer Devin Williams signs free-agent deal with Mets
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