by I wasn’t surprised that the New York Mets signed relief pitcher Devin Williams to a three-year deal earlier this week. During his time in Milwaukee, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was instrumental in making Williams the Brewers’ closer after trading away Josh Hader in 2022.
There was a lot of reported interest between the Mets and Williams, so perhaps the timing was surprising, but the agreement wasn’t.
Most have signed off on this deal, citing that Williams isn’t necessarily a replacement for Mets All-Star Edwin Diaz, who is seeking a five-year contract in excess of $100 million. “They can sign both, and have a super bullpen,” say several media members, as well as a good chunk of Mets’ content creators who have put a positive spin on the deal.
We are being told that this signing and the Brandon Nimmo trade for Marcus Semien are about “what’s next,” not necessarily about the “now” value of the deals themselves.
Well, as I have been saying since the Mets failed to make the postseason this year, I’m not really in a positive mood about the decisions that Stearns has been making of late.
That isn’t to say that opinion won’t change if the team makes the right tactical decisions between now and the start of Spring Training.
But right now? Pete Alonso and Diaz are unsigned; the Mets need at least two more outfielders, one to play left and a starting centerfielder (Tyrone Taylor isn’t an everyday player, no matter how good his defense is), a first baseman (if Alonso doesn’t re-sign), and at least one more top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.
They also have to solve their roster mess of too many infielders. Brett Baty should be the starting third baseman, but Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuna, and Jeff McNeil are all still on the roster. Semien was acquired to play second base, where he won a Gold Glove last year, so that’s even one less open spot.
Not to mention the holes in the bullpen. Brooks Raley will be back, that’s good. So will Huascar Brazobán and Richard Lovelady, which isn’t so good. If the Mets pass on Diaz’s contract demands, that makes Williams the closer.
The bad: Williams had a career-worst 4.79 ERA last season.
Michael Baron, who does an excellent job at JustMets.net says the ERA is only part of the story:
Overall, Williams pitched to a 4.79 ERA but with 90 strikeouts and 25 walks, with only 45 hits allowed in 62 innings in 2025. Prior to being traded to the Yankees last winter, Williams served as the closer for the Brewers with an ERA of 1.83 over six seasons in Milwaukee … Despite his struggles in 2025, Williams still displayed an elite change-up, was in the 95th percentile in expected batting average, 97th in chase rate, 99th in swing-and-miss rate, 97th in strikeout rate, and the 85th percentile in hard-hit rate.
It sounds good, but I still don’t trust that he can effectively replace Diaz, who is arguably the best closer in baseball. If the Mets don’t sign Diaz, this isn’t a game-changer, just a cheaper option. That approach to the bullpen last year didn’t suit the Mets well at all.
Yes, it’s just Dec. 5, and the MLB Winter Meetings start on Sunday, Dec. 6, so a lot can happen between now and Opening Day.
And for me to change my mind about Stearns, or at least be positive about the upcoming season, there’s a lot of “what’s next” that has to actually materialize.
