ORLANDO, Fla. — Devin Williams wanted to stay. The Yankees did not want him back.
Brian Cashman confirmed Sunday what many suspected. The team never made Williams a formal contract offer before the reliever signed with the crosstown rival Mets. That revelation explains why the closer took a subtle jab at the organization after landing his $51 million deal in Queens.
The two-time All-Star openly expressed his desire to return to the Bronx in October. He said he loved the city. He loved taking the subway to work. He wanted to come back. The Yankees never gave him that chance.
Yankees asked for updates but never called with an offer
Cashman spoke to Williams’ agent at least once during the offseason. He asked to be kept informed about the reliever’s market. Then the Yankees went silent.
“But he never called me back,” Cashman said at the Winter Meetings. “I’m not saying he needed to.”
That final phrase carries weight. Cashman placed no blame on Williams’ camp for not reaching out. The implication was clear. The Yankees were never serious about bringing him back.
A representative for Williams declined comment on Cashman’s version of events when contacted by the New York Daily News.
Williams said he wanted to return after ALDS elimination
After the Yankees lost to Toronto in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, Williams made his feelings known. He wanted another season in pinstripes.
“At first it was a challenge, but I’ve grown to love being here,” he said in October. “I love this city. I love taking the train to the field every day. I really enjoyed my experience here.”
Those were not the words of someone looking to leave. Williams had adjusted to the bright lights. He embraced the pressure. He finished the playoffs with four scoreless outings. The Bronx finally felt like home.
The Yankees moved on anyway.
Cashman acknowledged Yankees eye on Williams
Williams endured a rocky 2025 campaign. His 4.79 ERA was the worst of his career. He lost the closer job twice. Yankees fans booed him just 18 pitches into his debut.
But the surface numbers told an incomplete story. Cashman admitted as much on Sunday.
“I would agree that his season was better than how the normal numbers look,” Cashman said. “He had a handful of games that destroyed the overall numbers. I thought he pitched pretty close to what he’d always pitched in the years gone by.”
The underlying metrics supported that view. Devin Williams struck out 90 batters in 62 innings. He posted a 2.68 FIP. He generated elite whiff rates with his signature “Airbender” changeup.
“He was a weapon that Aaron Boone could deploy,” Cashman added. “He helped us.”
The Yankees passed despite acknowledging his value
Cashman made one puzzling admission. He believed Williams could have returned. He just chose not to pursue him.
“Bringing him back, I wouldn’t have made the phone call if it wasn’t a possibility,” Cashman said. “We didn’t make an offer.”
The Yankees also declined to make Williams a qualifying offer worth $22.025 million. That decision cost them draft pick compensation when he signed elsewhere.
David Bednar’s presence likely factored into the equation. The Yankees acquired the closer from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. They also picked up Camilo Doval from San Francisco. Both remain under team control for 2026. The organization apparently decided it had enough arms without Williams.
Williams landed with the Mets after Yankees ghosted him
The Mets moved quickly. They agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with Williams on Dec. 1. The contract includes $15 million in deferrals and reunites Williams with David Stearns, who developed him in Milwaukee.
At his introductory conference call, Williams made his feelings clear. He wanted to win a World Series in New York. He was open to pitching in whatever role the team needed. He never mentioned the Yankees by name. He did not need to.
The message was obvious. The reliever who openly campaigned for a return got nothing from Cashman. The team that claimed to value him let him walk without an offer. He landed across town with a rival that actually wanted him.
The Yankees bullpen now faces major questions
Williams is gone. Luke Weaver remains unsigned. The Yankees ranked 23rd in bullpen ERA last season. They slipped to 26th after the trade deadline.
Cashman must now rebuild much of the relief corps without two of his most experienced arms. The front office picked up Tim Hill’s option and re-signed Ryan Yarbrough, but major holes remain.
Williams finished strong in the Bronx. He did not allow a run in 22 of his final 23 regular season outings. He was lights out in October. He wanted to stay.
The Yankees just never bothered to ask.
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