Mets blow any possible Yankees offer out of the water with Devin Williams contract

Just over one year ago, the New York Mets broke Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams with one thunderous swing off the bat of Pete Alonso, a franchise icon they might be ushering out the door this offseason. The Yankees traded for Williams, dealt with the postseason hangover, and slowly rehabilitated the Airbender as the season dragged on. Now, the Mets will reap the rewards (or, at least, the results) of the Yankees' work.

On Monday night, Williams officially joined Juan Soto, Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas, and Luis Severino among the ex-Yankees who the Steve Cohen Mets have recently prioritized in free agency, signing a multi-year deal that treats him a lot like the pre-Alonso smash version of himself.

Williams' certainly didn't receive a "bounceback" contract of any kind after his roller coaster year in the Bronx. Instead, he got paid like the elite closer (eighth inning guy?) the league still believes he can be, even in a big city.

Three years. $50+ million. No opt-outs. No options. No excuses. He's here - but will Edwin Diaz join him?

Mets sign recent Yankees reliever Devin Williams to massive three-year deal

Now, we'll warn Williams: just because the Mets don't have the same heavy pinstripes as the Yankees does not mean their fans are any more forgiving. It's New York. They're going to rage after blown saves. They won't react kindly to treading water. The jubilation Williams' wayward changeup caused in Oct. 2024 will be met with equal parts unkindness if he melts under the Flushing heat.

The pressure will be lessened a little bit if Edwin Diaz comes back, too. Will the Mets continue their reckless, unsustainable spending by paying $15M+ per season to multiple potential closers? Is it really "unsustainable" if Steve Cohen just keeps getting goaded into it every year? And who will be the next Yankee to defect to the Mets' brigade? Will it be someone they actually want to retain? Will Cody Bellinger become the new Soto? Or will it be another Yank who wore out his welcome?

Williams was so trustworthy by the end of September that most fans who called for his head midsummer would've welcomed him back, under the right circumstances. A three-year contract at this value represents circumstances that are very much not right. Good luck ending an even more aggrieved championship drought in Queens, if you can believe that's possible.

If it wasn't gonna be the Dodgers, it had to be the Mets.