Devin Williams is redefining his approach as he aims to reclaim his elite status in the bullpen for the New York Mets. During a press conference on Friday, the right-handed pitcher disclosed his efforts to enhance his pitching repertoire by incorporating a cutter and a new gyro slider this offseason. This strategy is intended to provide “breathing room” for his fastball and changeup, which have been his primary pitches throughout his career, including his two All-Star seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.
By diversifying his arsenal, Williams hopes to challenge hitters with a broader range of speeds and pitch shapes, preventing them from solely anticipating his changeup. “It’s really something that I’ve felt I’ve needed to do for a while, but I just haven’t put it into play yet,” Williams explained.
Earlier this week, the 31-year-old signed a three-year contract with the Mets worth $51 million. His previous season with the Yankees was marked by struggles, culminating in a career-worst 4.79 ERA in 2025. Despite this setback, various metrics indicate that Williams performed better than his basic statistics suggest. His strikeout rate of 34.7%, whiff rate of 37.7%, and chase rate of 35% ranked him among the top performers in baseball.
Additionally, Williams recorded a 2.68 FIP, a .296 BABIP, and a .195 xBA, which highlight that he faced considerable misfortune with batted-ball outcomes last season. As the year progressed, he gained more confidence while pitching in New York, which influenced his decision to join the Mets and their vision for success.
“They’re a team that wants to win,” Williams stated. “Steve [Cohen]’s doing all he can to put a winning product on the field, and I’d love to be a part of that.”
Currently, Williams’ specific role with the Mets remains undecided, largely hinging on the outcome of the Edwin Díaz situation. Díaz, the Mets’ closer, opted out of his contract, leaving Williams to consider the possibility of a setup role. When asked about the potential for pitching alongside Díaz, Williams expressed optimism. “If he comes back, I think we’re gonna have a really good back end of the pen,” he said. “More good arms is always a good thing.”
As Williams prepares for the upcoming season, his commitment to refining his skills reflects both personal ambition and the broader aspirations of a Mets team eager to compete at the highest level.
