Yankees re-signing Devin Williams suddenly feels possible after latest developments

When Devin Williams claimed last December that he would consider a long-term deal with the Yankees that made sense for both parties, he was either hoping the team's facial hair policy would be amended or didn't yet realize how much of an impact the existing policy would have on his baseline mood.

While there's plenty to be said for the maintenance of tradition and operating in a manner that honors those who came before you, ignoring your current players in favor of the ghosts of 1973 was always a silly attitude. There are plenty of ways to exude supremacy and The Yankee Way. Making players feel uncomfortable doesn't have to be one of them.

Some players — like Aaron Judge, it seems — would prefer to maintain a fresh face. Others, like Williams, some additional current Yankees like Carlos Rodón, and plenty of free agents who are reconsidering their future decisions to stay away, feel otherwise.

Now, thanks in part to Williams' leadership, there's a place for all parties in New York, except maybe Justin Turner and his monstrosity. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Williams relaying his frustration to Brian Cashman llikely played a role in pushing this already discussed change across the finish line. Now that the airbending closer has been empowered to feel his best and, hopefully, match that attitude with superior play, there's certainly a strong chance of him returning when he reaches free agency following the 2025 season.

Devin Williams sounds like he'll consider Yankees extension a little harder after meetings about facial hair policy change

Sure, the Yankees don't mess around with expensive reliever deals much, and sure, Williams is poised to be among the more expensive options in that market in recent years (think Tanner Scott's contract, if all pans out well in 2025).

Still, though, would they have listened to him and changed 50 years of tradition if they didn't plan on entertaining a long-term fit? And won't the way they listened to Williams sell him a bit harder on the organization's vision for player relations?

When we wrote about Williams arriving to spring training with a full beard and "pushing" the policy's limits, we were being mostly ironic. We couldn't have fathomed that the lines in the sand would be blurring and shifting so soon, or that Williams was actually feeling conflicted about conforming. In all, this goofy little observation and the aftermath of Williams' Feb. 12 shower may end up being a watershed moment in Yankees history. The franchise's future has certainly changed, and perhaps his personal future has, too.