Yankees Two-Time All-Star Predicted To Ditch New York, Sign With Cardinals

Would St. Louis offer a multi-year deal to a reliever right now?

Aug 4, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a New York Yankees helmet and logo before the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Free agency will be a very intriguing time of year for the St. Louis Cardinals heading into a rebuild of some capacity.

The Cardinals aren't building a roster they expect to compete for a championship next season. But might they still take a flier on a free agent or two whose value might be down at the moment, hoping for a bounceback?

One baseball writer surprisingly foresees the Cardinals landing a two-time All-Star closer, which is typically the type of move made by teams who are all-in on the season ahead. However, this closer's situation is different than most.

Cardinals predicted to sign Devin Williams

Sep 25, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

On Friday, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media predicted that New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams would sign a four-year contract with the Cardinals after his only season in the Bronx went sideways. \

"There’s no chance the Yankees want Williams back, and while he’s saying that he’s willing to return, don’t buy it," Miller wrote. "Williams prefers to be a closer again and the Yankees’ closer job belongs to David Bednar, a summer trade acquisition.

"Williams thrived pitching for a small-market team when he was with Milwaukee, so that also could be something he’ll be looking for come winter. Prediction: Signs with Cardinals for four years."

This season, Williams put up a shocking 4.79 ERA in 67 appearances. From 2020 (when he won Rookie of the Year) through last year, his ERA was a minuscule 1.70 in 228 appearances.

Going from one of the most dominant relievers in the sport to facing serious struggles in the game's biggest market had to take a toll on Williams, and it's easy to see why he'd want to leave. He also struck out 90 batters in 62 innings this year and had a strong 2.68 FIP, so positive regression seems to be in order.

But where do the Cardinals fit into the equation? A four-year deal, presumably a somewhat expensive one, for a closer? That doesn't get them all that close to a championship in and of itself, and if the budget is going to be relatively tight this winter, it would seem a strange way to allocate it.

Not every offseason prediction comes through, and to the naked eye, this one looks like a bit of a stretch.

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