Dodgers reportedly ready to swipe disappointing trade acquisition from Yankees

In May, New York Yankees fans were wondering if Devin Williams was legitimately the worst relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Williams, previously a two-time All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers, got off to a nightmare start in the Bronx. A much stronger second half miraculously rekindled his reputation, however, to the extent that the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly interested in signing Williams this offseason.

Since the end of the Yankees’ season, the writing’s been on the wall that Williams would join a new team in free agency. With ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel estimating D-Will’s market value to be in the realm of three years, $45 million, the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants have been among the teams linked to Williams.

Now, you can add the Dodgers to that list.

Intel from the GM meetings in Las Vegas links Devin Williams to the Dodgers in free agency

The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reported on the Williams-Dodgers link this week, using intel gleaned from the annual GM meetings in Vegas.

“Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes affirmed Tuesday that the Dodgers could sign a reliever as they ramp up for a potential three-peat,” Ardaya revealed (subscription required). “Candidates include at least one familiar target already clear at this week’s annual general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, sources said: two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams.”

“The Dodgers had been in the mix to trade for Williams last winter before the Milwaukee Brewers shipped him to the New York Yankees,” Ardaya continued. “Williams even said in his introductory news conference with New York, “I kind of thought I’d be going to L.A.”

For Devin Williams, the Dodgers could present a more comfortable scenario than his 2025 situation with the Yankees

Were Williams to land with the Dodgers this offseason, he'd be joining what will by spring training be a deep and talented stable of relief arms. The Dodgers aren't counting on all of their relievers to produce in 2026; rather, they're stockpiling arms to ensure that at least a few are thriving once next October arrives.

As such, Williams wouldn't be under any immense pressure. It would be a more laid-back situation than what Williams faced with the Yankees this past season. He was expected to be "the guy" and single-handedly finish games for New York from the get-go, and when he faltered, he was viewed as a massive detriment to the club.

Ironically, Williams would be under less pressure by joining the champs. If he struggled out of the gate like he did in 2025, the Dodgers would simply move onto the next guy without blinking. Such an outcome wouldn't banish Williams from the team's future plans, either. Look at how Roki Sasaki stumbled early in 2025 and ended up succeeding late in the season due to faith from manager Dave Roberts. Williams showed this fall that he still has his stuff, but he's a better fit on the west coast.