The New York Yankees entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations for Devin Williams, the flame-throwing reliever they acquired in the offseason to anchor their bullpen. With two All-Star nods and a pair of Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year Awards under his belt, Williams was widely regarded as one of baseball’s elite closers—perhaps even the best. But the 2025 campaign has been a stark departure from those lofty hopes. Williams has struggled mightily, posting a 5.01 ERA across 50.1 innings, with a troubling tendency to miss middle and blow crucial games. Despite racking up 71 strikeouts, his inconsistency has left the Yankees searching for answers in the ninth inning.
As the offseason looms, the Yankees face a pivotal decision regarding their bullpen. With Williams set to hit free agency and little expectation of his return, the team is already eyeing a blockbuster replacement: New York Mets’ star closer Edwin Diaz. According to Rucker Haringey of FanSided, Diaz, a 31-year-old with electrifying stuff, could be the perfect solution to the Yankees’ late-inning woes.
The idea of snatching Diaz from their crosstown rivals is as tantalizing as it is bold. The Mets have made waves with splashy offseason moves in recent years, often stealing the spotlight from the Yankees. Bringing Diaz to the Bronx would not only bolster the Yankees’ bullpen but also deliver a psychological blow to their neighbors. Haringey notes, “Landing a 31-year-old who has the sort of dominant stuff Diaz possesses could be the perfect solution. He has the sort of strikeout arsenal the Yankees need to deploy in the postseason. Stealing him away from their crosstown rival would only be an added bonus for Cashman and his front office.”
Diaz, widely regarded as the top closer available in free agency (save for Aroldis Chapman), brings a proven track record of dominance. His ability to rack up strikeouts and shut down games makes him an ideal fit for a Yankees team desperate to fortify its bullpen for a deep playoff run. With Williams and reliever Luke Weaver both hitting the open market, the Yankees face a glaring void at closer—a void Diaz is uniquely equipped to fill.
The Yankees’ acquisition of Williams was supposed to be a game-changer, but his 2025 performance has been anything but. While his 1.137 WHIP and 54 strikeouts in 41.1 innings show flashes of brilliance, his overall inconsistency has eroded confidence in his role as the team’s closer. The trade deadline told a revealing story: the Yankees bolstered their bullpen by acquiring Jake Bird, David Bednar, and Camilo Doval, signaling a lack of faith in Williams. Bird has since been demoted to Triple-A, and Doval has struggled, but Bednar (controlled through 2026) and Doval (through 2027) represent long-term options that make Williams’ return even less likely.
Adam Weinrib of FanSided believes Williams’ days in pinstripes are numbered. “Relievers are inherently volatile, and while there’s been plenty of good with Williams in 2025, the Yankees’ most surprising trade of last offseason already felt like a one-year engagement before the trade deadline,” Weinrib wrote. He suggests the Yankees may offer Williams a qualifying offer to secure a draft pick when he inevitably departs, but the team’s focus has already shifted to bigger targets like Diaz.
Pursuing Edwin Diaz would mark a seismic shift for the Yankees, both on the field and in the narrative of New York baseball. The $64 million star’s ability to dominate in high-pressure situations could transform the Yankees’ bullpen into a postseason juggernaut. For general manager Brian Cashman, signing Diaz would not only address a critical need but also send a message: the Yankees are ready to reclaim their place atop the city’s baseball hierarchy.