Oct 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) is relieved of his pitching duties in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays the during game three of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
MLB: Playoffs-Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
(NEW YORK) — Devin Williams is the latest former Yankee to head across town — but he’s not leaving quietly.
After signing a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets on Wednesday, the 31-year-old reliever took to Instagram and took a shot at Yankees fans upset over his move to Queens.
“For a bunch of people that didn’t want me back on your team, y’all sure are mad in the DMs,” Williams wrote, adding a crying-laughing emoji.
Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Williams arrived in the Bronx last season with sky high expectations after coming over in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. A two-time NL Reliever of the Year, he was supposed to help stabilize the Yankees’ late innings. Instead, he endured the toughest season of his career.
He posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA, blew four saves, and was stripped of the closer role by the end of April. While he regained some opportunities during the summer, it was David Bednar — not Williams — who handled most of the ninth-inning duties down the stretch.
Still, the underlying numbers paint a far more optimistic picture of Williams’ performance. His expected batting average allowed (.195) ranked in MLB’s 96th percentile. His chase rate (35%) and strikeout rate (34.7%) both sat in the 97th percentile. And his 37.7% whiff rate — among the best in baseball — placed him in the 99th percentile.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
“I think overall my season was pretty good, to be honest,” Williams said after the year. “Outside of a few blow-up games, it was in line with what I’ve done in the past. I feel like I contributed.”
The Mets are hoping the elite peripherals will translate back into elite production in 2026. Williams role will depend on how the rest of New York’s bullpen shapes up — particularly whether they re-sign closer Edwin Díaz. Williams likely will serve as the bridge to Díaz if he returns to the team.
For now? Williams is embracing Queens — and making it well known he’s not losing any sleep over his critics in the Bronx.