Despite a fluctuating 2025 season following his mid-season trade from Milwaukee, right-handed reliever Devin Williams is drawing significant interest as he heads into free agency. The two-time National League Reliever of the Year finished the season with a 4.79 ERA for the Yankees,but his strong underlying metrics are fueling competition from at least a dozen teams [[1]], [[2]], [[3]]. New York is reportedly engaged in talks for a potential reunion, but faces a crowded field including the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Mets.
Devin Williams’ 2025 season with the Yankees proved to be a rollercoaster after arriving in New York via a trade with Milwaukee during the offseason. The star reliever initially struggled, posting an ERA above 10.00 through May and ultimately losing his role as the team’s closer.
Williams later regained the closer job mid-summer, showcasing a strong stretch with a 2.28 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and just five walks in 29 appearances. However, his command faltered again in August, leading to another removal from the ninth-inning role.
The right-hander finished the year with a 4.79 ERA. Despite the inflated number, some of that was due to misfortune, and doesn’t fully reflect his overall performance, as MLB.com recently noted.
Now, as he approaches free agency, the Yankees and Williams’ representatives have engaged in discussions regarding a potential reunion, according to reports. However, competition for the two-time National League Reliever of the Year is expected to be fierce.
Approximately 12 teams are reportedly vying for Williams’ services. That list includes the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Reds. The Mets have also emerged as an interested party, according to ESPN, while MLB Network analyst Jon Paul Morosi has identified the Giants and Tigers as potential suitors.
Williams’ underlying metrics from the past season were significantly better than his final ERA, with an expected ERA of 3.09 and a FIP of 2.68. He consistently ranked in the 97th percentile or higher in chase rate, swing-and-miss rate, and strikeout rate. He closed the regular season strong, posting a 2.50 ERA with a 0.36 FIP and 17 strikeouts per nine innings over his final 19 appearances. That late-season form mirrored the dominance he displayed with the Brewers from 2020-2024 (1.70 ERA, 14.6 K/9).
