Jason Burgos
A surprising new report suggests the New York Mets are considering an eighth and ninth inning setup where Edwin Diaz isn’t the only elite closer working the end of games.
While there has been a lot of talk about whether New York would re-sign homegrown star Pete Alonso, they also have another top talent available in MLB free agency in closer Edwin Diaz. Like his teammate at first base, the star reliever opted out of his contract in search of one last big long-term contract.
With Diaz, arguably, the best reliever available in free agency, he reportedly has a lot of interested teams. There is a real possibility New York could lose him if rival teams are willing to meet his rumored asking price of $100 million. That’s why the Mets must contemplate potential replacement options, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan pointed to an interesting one on Tuesday.
- Edwin Diaz stats: 1.63 ERA, 0.874 WHIP, 28 saves, 98 strikeouts, 21 walks, 66.1 innings pitched
According to the MLB insider, “New York is in on Devin Williams.” The two-time All-Star has links to the Mets front office, as some of them, including President David Stearns, helped develop him into a top closer when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers.
While he had a rough season in 2025 during his first, and likely only, year with the New York Yankees, there are many around the game who feel it was an outlier, and he is still an elite end-of-the-game reliever. “Williams is coming off the worst season of his career with the Yankees, but his peripheral numbers were excellent and his stuff still graded out well-above-average,” Passan notes.
Mets considering bullpen with both Edwin Diaz and Devin Williams?
He would certainly be a very good replacement for Edwin Diaz, especially if he can capture the form he had before 2025. However, according to Passan, Williams may not be a Mets target strictly to replace Diaz. Instead, he could be a teammate with Diaz.
“Williams has suitors from coast to coast, though the Mets are mulling the opportunity to sign Diaz and Williams to head up a bullpen in need of a total restructuring,” he writes.
- Devin Williams stats: 4.79 ERA, 16 saves, 1.129 WHIP, 90 strikeouts, 25 walks, 62 innings
Despite his high asking price, the Mets are still viewed as a heavy favorite to re-sign the three-time All-Star. Because they do have they have the resources to match any offer, but any team that signs him will have to fork over draft compensation to New York.
