Devin Williams doubles down on possible Yankees reunion in odd development

The New York Yankees' history is littered with players who proved they couldn't handle playing in New York. After moving from small-town Milwaukee to the Bronx and imploding, it seemed like Devin Williams was going to be the latest entry on that list.

However, the free-agent-to-be's recent comments have set the scene for a return. Well, at least on his part.

It remains to be seen if the Yankees will be interested in reuniting with a player who once was the most dominant closer in baseball, but if they desire another go 'round, Williams is interested.

“At first it was a challenge, but I’ve grown to love being here. I love this city. I love taking the [subway] train to the field every day. I really enjoyed my experience here. … There’s a lot to like about this city, but it took me some time to adjust,” Williams told reporters on move-out day, doubling down on what he mentioned on the way out the door after ALDS Game 4.

Devin Williams baffles Yankees fans with his desire to return in 2026

As it stands now, Devin Williams' Yankees legacy will be ending the decades-old facial hair policy that was often referred to as draconian. In that regard, he accomplished a seemingly impossible feat in pinstripes.

Unfortunately, his on-field legacy in the Bronx is more complicated.

Williams' initial reaction upon elimination was that he was open to a return, and by now doubling down after having some time to think on it, one has to realize that maybe he wasn't as miserable here as it seemed.

Of course, this could all be a ploy. If he can display enough interest to get the Yankees to the table, he can then leverage the club's fat wallet to extract a larger offer elsewhere.

At the same time, this could be genuine. Williams had plenty of rocky moments, but he also had points in which he looked like his old self. In May, he struck out 16 batters in just 12.1 innings while allowing a .189/.286/.297 slash line, and in June, he posted a 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings of work.

Later on, down the stretch, he settled in as a relatively reliable setup man for David Bednar. In the playoffs, Williams wasn't tagged with an earned run, though he was on the mound for Nathan Lukes' clutch single in Game 4 of the ALDS. Often, he looked more comfortable and confident while calling his own pitches.

Still, Williams' showing up in October got him electrifying ovations from the fans who weren't so kind at other points in the season. Perhaps the playoff buzz in the Bronx was just that much more intoxicating than what he had previously experienced in Milwaukee.

Whatever his motivation, it seems that the ball is in the Yankees' court. If they want to bring him back, they need to tread carefully, though. Williams, in the right role and at the right price, could be a worthwhile gamble. But getting caught up in a bidding war for his services simply because he said some nice things while walking out the door would be a recipe for disaster.

His return to form is a gamble, and one the Yankees should only take at the right price.