Mets fans quickly learning the Devin Williams reality that Brewers and Yankees fans already know

After six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and a one-year stint with the New York Yankees, reliever Devin Williams hit free agency last winter. He ultimately chose to reunite with David Stearns, now the President of Baseball Operations for the New York Mets, and the same executive who helped oversee Williams' rise into one of the game’s top closers in Milwaukee. The Mets, aided by their seemingly unlimited budget, signed Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal.

Despite Williams’ eye-popping 2.52 career ERA and 88 saves, Brewers and Yankees fans are already familiar with how things can look when things are not going his way. In Milwaukee, it presented as long outings with elevated pitch counts often ending in Williams escaping the jam, but with the Yankees, he wasn't as fortunate to emerge unscathed from those situations.

For reference, Williams allowed just 48 earned runs across his six-year tenure with the Brewers, but with the Yankees, he allowed 33 in just one season, resulting in a 4.79 ERA. 10 blow-up outings where he allowed crooked numbers certainly didn't help, and ultimately left Yankees fans frustrated as the organization gave up Nestor Cortes and eventual NL Rookie of the Year candidate Caleb Durbin for his services.

Now with the Mets, Williams had looked sharp to open the 2026 season by not allowing a run over his first five appearances. However, his first rough outing, coming amid a lengthy losing streak, has given Mets fans a clearer look at the highs and lows that come with his profile as a pitcher.

Devin Williams displays first sign of volatility since joining the Mets this offseason

Against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Wednesday night, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza turned to Williams in the eighth inning to try and keep New York within striking distance, as they trailed 3-1 to the defending World Series champions. With New York in the midst of a seven-game losing streak at the time, Williams was not only tasked with giving his team a chance to stay in the game, but he simply needed the work.

That move ultimately backfired, as Williams allowed three hits and issued one walk, including a grand slam that put the Mets out of striking distance. He was only able to record a single out, further straining an already overworked bullpen.

Williams’ inability to deliver only compounded a difficult night, resulting in the team’s eighth straight loss, a streak that has since grown to nine after a Friday defeat against the Chicago Cubs. With the Mets already struggling to stop the slide, Williams can’t afford to have outings like this, as New York needs its high-leverage arms to stabilize games and help prevent the losing streak from spiraling further.

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