Mets Add Firepower to Bullpen with Signing of Devin “Airbender” Williams

The New York Mets reportedly have made a bold move tonight, signing elite free agent reliever Devin Williams . Known for his devastating changeup and electric strikeout ability, Williams immediately upgrades a bullpen that has shown flashes of dominance but lacked consistent late-inning reliability.

Williams, 30, first made a name for himself in Milwaukee, where he debuted in 2019. By the following season, he was a household name in relief pitching, winning both the National League Rookie of the Year and Reliever of the Year awards after posting a mind-boggling 0.33 ERA in 2020. A two-time All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Williams has spent the last decade establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier bullpen arms.

Born and raised in the St. Louis area by his mother Angela Norton, Williams grew up torn between soccer and baseball, initially dreaming of following Cristiano Ronaldo’s path. But his grandfather encouraged him to pursue baseball, and the decision paid off. At Hazelwood West High School, he posted an impressive 6–2 record with a 1.15 ERA, striking out 101 batters and walking only 28, showing early signs of the overpowering stuff that would define his professional career.

Drafted in the second round by Milwaukee in 2013, Williams climbed through the minors steadily, despite a major setback in 2017 when he required Tommy John surgery. By 2019, he was representing the Brewers at the All-Star Futures Game and breaking into the big leagues.

Williams’ time in Milwaukee was marked by both historic highs and some turbulence. After a breakout 2020 season where he fanned over half the batters he faced, he continued to perform at an elite level, winning multiple NL Reliever of the Month awards and again claiming Reliever of the Year honors in 2023. However, his postseason struggles came into sharp focus in 2024, when he gave up a pivotal home run to Mets star Pete Alonso in the National League Wild Card Series, allowing four runs in the top of the ninth and contributing to Milwaukee’s sixth straight playoff series loss.

Injuries and off-field incidents—such as a fractured hand in 2021—have punctuated his career, but when healthy, Williams is nearly unhittable when he’s on. His repertoire features a mid-90s four-seam fastball and his signature “Airbender” circle changeup, a pitch with devastating movement that has consistently baffled hitters and turned him into one of the game’s most fearsome strikeout pitchers.

Williams spent the 2025 season with the Yankees, logging 62 innings across 67 appearances, finishing with a 4.79 ERA and 18 saves. He had a rocky start, briefly losing the closer role before being reinstated after injuries elsewhere in the bullpen. While his season numbers weren’t as eye-popping as his peak years in Milwaukee, his strikeout ability remained elite, recording 90 punchouts in just 62 innings.

The big question now for the Mets is how Williams will be used. Will he slide into the high-leverage setup role for Edwin Díaz, or is he being groomed as the replacement for the free agent closer? Sources tell MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Mets have reached an agreement on a three-year contract with Williams. The team has yet to officially announce the signing. The deal reportedly does not include any player or team options. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, the Mets are still exploring the possibility of bringing back closer Edwin Díaz. Williams has indicated he is willing to take on a setup role, a position he filled at times while with the Yankees last year.With his track record and ability to dominate late innings, both options are plausible.

Even in a down season with the Yankees Williams’ advanced stats paint a compelling picture. His xERA sits at 3.09, his strikeout rate remains elite at 34.7%, and batters chasing pitches outside the strike zone continue to be a frequent victim at 35%. His fastball averages 94 mph, and his changeup—used more than half the time—is a proven strikeout pitch, underpinning the nickname “Airbender.”

As the Mets look to fortify their bullpen and contend for another postseason run, adding Devin Williams represents a calculated, high-upside gamble. Whether he becomes the bridge to Díaz or the new anchor at the back of the bullpen, Williams brings both pedigree and intrigue to Flushing.