Devin

Williams

Williams will pitch at the back-end of the bullpen for the Mets in 2026, but whether he will be their closer or set-up man depends whether New York re-signs Edwin Díaz. At this point that seems unlikely, and assuming Williams is the closer, the 31-year-old should be one of the better relief options in fantasy; even after his less-than-spectacular season with the Yankees in 2025.

Sammon also reported that Williams chose the Mets without knowing if he would be used as an ace setup option ahead of Edwin Díaz or as a closer to replace him. “According to a person close to Williams, the decorated right-hander is open to pitching in whatever role the team needs him for and wants to win a World Series in New York.” The Mets have now protected themselves in case Díaz does sign elsewhere, and perhaps give themselves more leverage in contract negotiations, but it seems that their goal is to form an elite one-two punch with two former All-Star closers.

Passan adds that deal doesn’t include any opt-outs. Williams takes over as New York’s primary closer in the event that Edwin Díaz departs via free agency. However, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reports the Mets remain interested in re-signing Díaz and that Williams is open to pitching in a setup role. The dynamic 31-year-old evolved into one of the premier stoppers in baseball during his Brewers tenure before being traded to the Yankees last offseason and stumbling to a career-worst 4.79 ERA across 62 innings. New York’s willingness to make a multi-year commitment suggests real confidence in their ability to get him back on track. He’s the latest domino to fall as the closer market continues to accelerate in advance of next week’s Winter Meetings. It’s a phenomenal landing spot from a fantasy perspective — assuming the Mets don’t re-sign Díaz — as Williams walks straight into the ninth inning on a contending roster with a clear opportunity to reestablish himself as an upper-tier closer.

The Marlins are not exactly known for splurging in free agency, but they may believe in the club enough to go get one of the more “high-priced” relievers. Williams first — and likely only — year with the Yankees was a mixed bag at best but his success well documented, while Fairbanks has had his ups and downs but has generally been effective as a closer. Either player would likely cost Miami a multi-year deal, and they’d be immediately among the higher paid players on the roster.

The team would prefer a three-year deal and has been in contact with Devin Williams and Robert Suarez as potential alternatives to Díaz in the ninth. Díaz, 31, opted out of his previous five-year deal with the Mets this winter. He was set to make $38 million over the last two seasons of the contract.

Williams will keep his options open, but he might prefer to go a team where he’d know he’s the closer and where one bad week wouldn’t change that. That’s not a knock on the Yankees, but with David Bednar on the roster as an alternative, any sort of misstep would lead to calls for a change.

Ardaya adds that the Dodgers are targeting a high-leverage reliever on the free-agent market this offseason. He also notes that Los Angeles was in the mix to acquire Williams last winter before the Brewers dealt him to the Yankees. The 31-year-old endured a rough season in New York, losing his grip on the closer role and finishing with just 18 saves and a career-worst 4.79 ERA across 62 innings. His fantasy stock would soar if he lands in Los Angeles, where he’d immediately step into the ninth-inning role for the two-time defending World Series champions.

Bednar’s save was his 22nd of the year and fourth since joining the Yankees at the trade deadline. The 30-year-old right-hander allowed one hit in an otherwise perfect ninth inning. Bednar seems to be the best bet for saves on the Yankees the rest of the way with Devin Williams now pitching in a setup role.

Williams gave up a leadoff double and a one-out RBI single to blow a 2-1 lead. He had been dominant in previous eight outings, striking out 18 and allowing only an unearned run from an automatic runner scoring in extra innings (he got the save in that one anyway). This was hardly a disaster, either. Still, he’s probably not going to get the chance to reclaim his job from David Bednar unless Bednar leaves the door open.

Bednar could not save this game for the Yankees after Cam Schlittler took a perfect game into the seventh inning. Luckily for him, his lineup picked him back up in the 10th and then Devin Williams wound up securing a save, albeit a rocky one. Bednar has now blown as many saves as he’s converted since coming to the Yankees. He’ll likely retain the role, but the door might be cracked open for Williams to siphon off a chance or two at some point.