The New York Yankees have been linked to just about every big name available early on this offseason, but to this point, they have yet to make many noteworthy moves. In fact, the biggest move involving the team so far this offseason saw them lose relief pitcher Devin Williams after he signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the New York Mets in free agency.
Considering how much the Yankees gave up to land Williams in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason, it was a bit disappointing to see him leave for nothing once he hit the open market. Williams never truly fit in with the Yanks, though, and according to one MLB insider, he believes the team was “relieved” to see the star reliever depart in free agency.
Yankees Reportedly ‘Relieved’ to See Devin Williams Depart in Free Agency
Prior to getting traded to New York last offseason, Williams had established himself as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the league. He earned a pair of All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023, and he also won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2020 when he posted a miniscule 0.33 ERA in 22 appearances out of the bullpen.
Williams looked nothing like that pitcher for the Yankees in 2025, though. Despite appearing in a career-high 67 games, Williams posted an ugly 4.79 ERA, which was easily the worst mark of his career. While he was better late in the season, it ultimately wasn’t much of a surprise to see him depart in free agency.
It was a bit of a punch in the gut to see Williams land with the Yankees’ cross-town rivals, the Mets, but it doesn’t seem like the team is all that upset to have lost him. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post, multiple people with the Yankees were “relieved” to see him decide to sign elsewhere in free agency.
“Both Brewers and Yankees people seemed relieved when he left (and multiple Brewers people said they knew New York wasn’t the right place for him),” Heyman wrote. “Williams isn’t a disruptor and he seemed more comfortable late last year. But the switch from Diaz to Williams is an undeniable downer, even beyond the 2025 performance gap.”
Yankees Must Replace Devin Williams After Free Agency Departure
GettyDevin Williams of the New York Yankees
Regardless of how the team feels about Williams’ decision to bolt in free agency, the front office is going to have to find someone to replace him at the backend of the bullpen. Considering how Luke Weaver is also a free agent, New York’s bullpen could end up looking completely different when the team returns to action in 2026.
How they end up accomplishing that goal remains to be seen, but the bullpen has suddenly become a big area of need for the Yanks to fill this offseason. So while Williams may not exactly be a popular figure among Yankees fans, the team is going to have to find a way to replace him when reconstructing their bullpen over the next few weeks.
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