Devin Williams signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the New York Mets on December 3, 2025, bringing the two-time NL Reliever of the Year to Queens. Shortly after inking the contract, the reliever fired back at Yankees fans on social media with a pointed message about their reaction to his departure.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Williams signed a 3-year, $51 million contract with the Mets (includes $6M signing bonus with deferrals)
- Former Yankees closer had a 4.79 ERA in 2025 during his one season in the Bronx
- Two-time NL Reliever of the Year won the award in 2023 while with the Brewers
- Social media response: Williams posted on December 4 stating “For a bunch of people that didn’t want me back on your team, yall sure are mad in the DM’s”
From Yankees to Mets: Williams Makes His Cross-Town Move
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After spending the 2025 season with the Yankees, Devin Williams took his talents across town to the Mets. The right-handed reliever had struggled during his time in the Bronx, posting a career-worst 4.79 ERA in 67 appearances. Despite the disappointing season, the 31-year-old still commanded significant interest in free agency.
The Mets saw value in Williams’s pedigree and track record as an elite closer. His ability to shut down games in high-pressure situations made him attractive to the organization looking to upgrade their bullpen. The deal, finalized on December 3, signaled New York’s commitment to strengthening their relief corps for the upcoming season.
A Dominant Career With Milwaukee Before the Williams Era
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Williams built his reputation as one of baseball’s premier closers during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2023, he captured the NL Reliever of the Year award after an outstanding campaign featuring a 1.53 ERA, 36 saves, and 87 strikeouts. He earned the honor again in 2024 with a dominant 1.25 ERA over 21.2 innings.
The two-time All-Star and former National League Rookie of the Year has carved out a Hall of Fame-caliber resume despite his recent struggles. His career statistics include a 1.89 ERA and 465 strikeouts across his big league tenure. Williams’ dominance in Milwaukee made his 2025 decline unexpected, though underlying metrics suggested bad luck played a role.
Contract Details: Breaking Down the $51 Million Agreement
| Contract Element | Details |
| Total Value | $51 million over 3 years |
| Annual Salary | $15 million per year |
| Signing Bonus | $6 million (spread across installments) |
| Deferrals | $5 million per year deferred starting in 2036 |
| Options/Opt-Outs | None |
The contract structure includes significant deferrals, with $5 million per year deferred for 10 years beginning in 2036, meaning the deal won’t be fully paid until 2045. This deferral structure helped the Mets manage luxury tax implications while still securing the reliever’s services.
Williams Fires Back: The Instagram Moment Heard Around Baseball
Just 24 hours after signing with the Mets, Williams took to Instagram to address Yankees fans. On December 4, he posted a pointed message that quickly went viral across baseball social media. The quote read: “For a bunch of people that didn’t want me back on your team, yall sure are mad in the DM’s,” accompanied by a laughing-face emoji.
“For a bunch of people that didn’t want me back on your team, yall sure are mad in the DM’s”
— Devin Williams, on Instagram (@_dvn23)
The message sparked immediate backlash and debate among Yankees fans and baseball observers. Some defended Williams’s right to call out perceived hypocrisy, while others criticized the reliever for engaging with critics on social media. Regardless, the post cemented what many saw as a contentious end to his time in the Bronx.
What Comes Next? Williams’ 2026 Expectations in Queens?
As Williams enters his first full season with the Mets, expectations center on a return to form. The organization banking on the elite closer returning to his Milwaukee form assumes his 2025 struggles were anomalies rather than signs of decline. New York needs Williams to log meaningful innings in high-leverage situations.
The Mets are betting that a fresh start in Queens provides the reset Williams needs after a tumultuous year in the Bronx. History suggests elite closers like Williams can bounce back, and the two-time Reliever of the Year award winner maintains the pedigree to deliver. Whether he can silence the noise and deliver results on the field remains the ultimate question for New York fans.
Sources
- MLB.com – Official contract announcement and player news
- ESPN – Contract details and career statistics
- New York Times Athletic – Coverage of signing and social media reaction
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.