Yankees’ Devin Williams ‘Open’ to Contract in MLB Free Agency After Loss vs. Blue Jays

Relief pitcher Devin Williams expressed interest in potentially re-signing with the New York Yankees following the team’s playoff elimination at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after the Yanks’ season-ending, 5-2 defeat, Williams said he is “definitely open” to signing a deal that would keep him in New York:

Williams added that he has enjoyed his time with the Yankees despite the challenges he faced during the 2025 season, saying, “At first, it was a challenge, but I’ve grown to love being here. I love the city. … I’ve really enjoyed my experience here.”

Blue Jays vs. Yankees (10/08/2025)

New York acquired Williams in an offseason trade that sent infielder Caleb Durbin and pitcher Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers.

At the time, it felt like a small price to pay for a pitcher who had been among the most dominant closers in baseball the previous few seasons.

Over his six MLB seasons in Milwaukee before his arrival in New York, Williams posted a 27-10 record with 68 saves, a 1.83 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 375 strikeouts over 235.2 innings.

It seemed like a slam dunk pickup for the Yanks, adding a two-time All-Star, two-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year and the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year to the bullpen.

However, Williams struggled out of the gate in New York and never fully recovered. He struggled through what was the worst statistical season of his career by far, going 4-6 with 18 saves, a 4.79 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and 90 strikeouts over 62 innings.

Williams began the season as the Yankees’ closer, but he allowed runs in two of his first four outings and gave up three earned runs in three separate appearances in April alone.

That led to Williams being demoted from the closer role, and although he took it back momentarily, the job ended up going to David Bednar after the Yankees acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline.

The totality of the season was not great for Williams, but he did not surrender a run in any of his final nine regular-season appearances, and from Aug. 10 to Sept. 28, he had a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings.

Williams was also effective in four playoff outings, allowing three hits, two walks and no earned runs, while striking out four.

It is fair to wonder if Williams did enough to interest the Yankees in retaining him, although that may largely depend on his asking price.

Williams, Luke Weaver, Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn are all set to hit free agency, while the Yankees have club options on Tim Hill and Jonathan Loaisiga.

Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. are the top relievers still under contract for next season, potentially opening the door for the Yanks to have a much-needed overhaul of their bullpen.

Whether that includes Williams remains to be seen, but given how he ended the 2025 season, he could be a prime bounce-back candidate in 2026.

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