Dreams of a reunion between Craig Counsell and Devin Williams just went up in flames

Over the weekend, Ryan Helsley found a new home, signing a two-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles that includes an opt-out after the 2026 season. Now, just days later, another late-inning reliever has come off the free agent board with Devin Williams signing with the New York Mets.

The move ends any hopes of Williams reuniting with his former manager, Craig Counsell, with the Chicago Cubs, but does reunite the right-hander with former Brewers executive David Stearns, who is now the baseball operations shot-caller in Queens.

Devin Williams stays in New York, joining the Mets on a 3-year deal

One year ago, a three-year deal worth $50 million would've felt like a low-ball projection for the former All-Star closer. From 2020-2024, he made 228 appearances for the Brewers, working to a 1.70 ERA, 2.24 FIP and 14.6 K/9, establishing himself as one of the game's premier closers. But after being traded to the New York Yankees last winter, the 2025 season was anything but routine for the 30-year-old.

Williams struggled in the Bronx, posting a career-worst 4.79 ERA in 67 appearances, though a 2.68 FIP and 3.11 xERA suggest he wasn't nearly as bad as that ERA indicates. He still punched out more than 13 batters per nine and advanced metrics were bullish on him, as well.

Clearly, his track record - and those expected stats - were enough to convince Stearns that Williams will rebound and be a ninth-inning successor to longtime Mets closer and fan favorite Edwin Diaz who we can now assume will don a new uniform in 2026 and beyond.

Don't expect the Cubs to be that team. The Los Angeles Dodgers are widely viewed as the favorites, in need of bullpen reinforcements after their four-year, $72 million deal with Tanner Scott last winter quickly went sideways, and fellow late-inning signing Kirby Yates played only a minimal role in the team repeating as World Series champions.

Still, Jed Hoyer isn't done - not by a long shot. After signing veteran Phil Maton to a two-year deal, the team's first multi-year deal with a reliever since signing Craig Kimbrel in 2019, the Cubs still have multiple spots to fill with Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz all free agents. Keep an eye on names like Pete Fairbanks, who could be one of the next names to come off the board ahead of the Winter Meetings later this month.