Mets Bolster Bullpen With Devin Williams, But Edwin Diaz Remains Key Target

The New York Mets made a significant offseason splash by signing elite reliever Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal. Williams’ arrival instantly boosts New York’s bullpen depth and positions the team to compete at the highest level. While the move is impactful on its own, many believe it represents just the first step in building a truly elite late-inning staff.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic highlighted the importance of retaining Edwin Diaz, who is now a free agent after a six-year run in Queens. Diaz is widely regarded as one of the most coveted relievers on the market, and his presence alongside Williams could form a historically intimidating combination.

According to Rosenthal, pairing Williams and Diaz would allow the Mets to stack their bullpen with elite arms, ensuring dominance in the late innings. The idea is that Williams could pitch the eighth inning while Diaz closes, creating a matchup nightmare for opposing hitters.

With Williams already in place and Diaz available, the Mets have an opportunity to construct one of baseball’s most formidable bullpens, but action will be needed quickly to fend off competition from other teams pursuing the star closer.

1. Williams Provides Immediate Impact in Late Innings

Devin Williams is no stranger to high-leverage situations. Over his seven-year MLB career, he has amassed 86 saves, with at least 14 coming since 2022. His track record demonstrates he can handle ninth-inning responsibilities without issue. Williams’ velocity, strikeout ability, and experience make him a viable closer on his own. However, the true potential lies in using him as a bridge to Diaz, where each inning in the late game would be a showcase of elite relief pitching. By pitching the eighth inning before Diaz takes the mound in the ninth, Williams can suppress opposing offenses and preserve leads, allowing Diaz to finish games with minimal pressure. This tandem would give the Mets one of the most feared bullpen duos in the sport. The strategic deployment of Williams and Diaz together exemplifies modern bullpen construction, emphasizing dominant, high-leverage matchups late in games rather than relying solely on a single closer.

2. Diaz’s Track Record Makes Him a Coveted Free Agent

Edwin Diaz spent six seasons with New York and established himself as one of baseball’s premier closers. In that span, he accumulated 144 saves, maintained a 2.93 ERA, and posted a 538/118 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The 2025 season was particularly impressive, as Diaz recorded a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts and just 21 walks over 62 appearances. He also earned his third All-Star nomination, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s top late-inning pitchers. Diaz’s combination of strikeout dominance and consistency makes him a rare commodity on the free-agent market. Multiple teams will undoubtedly pursue him, meaning the Mets face stiff competition if they hope to re-sign him. Retaining Diaz would not only solidify the closer role but also complement Williams’ presence in the bullpen. Together, they could form a tandem capable of shutting down nearly any lineup in the league.

3. Opportunity for a Super Bullpen in New York

With Williams already under contract, the Mets are in a favorable position to assemble a historically dominant relief corps. Rosenthal emphasized that a setup role for Williams ahead of Diaz could create a blueprint for a championship-caliber bullpen. This approach mirrors strategies seen in other elite teams, where late-inning depth is a decisive factor in playoff success. By stacking high-quality arms, the Mets can ensure consistency, flexibility, and dominance in high-leverage situations. Competition for Diaz will be fierce, but the potential reward for New York is clear: a bullpen that can neutralize the opposition in the eighth and ninth innings and give the team a distinct advantage in close games. If the Mets act decisively in free agency, pairing Williams with Diaz could represent one of the most fearsome late-inning combinations in modern baseball history.