Why the Mets could be making the same mistake twice

The New York Mets are taking a big risk by signing reliever Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal after an up-and-down season with the Yankees in 2025.

In fact, they could be making the same mistake twice following what was a disastrous signing of starting pitcher Frankie Montas to a two-year contract (player option in 2026) last winter.

What's the common denominator here? Adding a player who has shown in the past that they might not be able to handle pitching in New York.

For Montas, it was the 2022 season where he was dealt to the Yankees at the trade deadline and proceeded to post an abysmal 6.35 ERA in eight starts down the stretch. Montas would miss all but one game in 2023 after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason.

Montas was serviceable for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, but still held a high ERA at 4.84.

Montas returned to New York in 2025 where he had a brief and horrific stint with the Mets, producing a 6.28 ERA in nine appearances before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Montas exercised his $17 million player option after the season, which the Mets are still on the hook for even after releasing the right-hander. The Mets signed Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal last offseason.

The 32-year-old was never able to return to his form with the A's, where he had a 3.70 ERA in six seasons from 2017-2022.

As for Williams, the former Brewers' closer was traded to the Yankees for Caleb Durbin and Nestor Cortes last December. In his lone season in the Bronx, Williams had a 4.79 ERA and -0.3 bWAR in 67 appearances and lost the closer job.

New York Yankees, Devin Williams — Oct 8, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Devin Williams (38) pitches during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game four of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Williams struggled immensely with the Yankees for the most part, but still had a heavy market of suitors as a bounce-back candidate in free agency. Despite expectations that Williams could be better off pitching elsewhere, he opted to remain in New York for the next three seasons with the cross-town rival Mets.

Williams emerged as a superstar closer in Milwaukee, pitching to a 1.83 ERA and notching 68 saves in six seasons with the Brewers. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was with the Brewers at the same time as Williams from 2019-2023.

The Mets are hoping Williams can once again regain his dominance that he endured during his time in Milwaukee. But it remains to be seen whether he will ever be comfortable pitching in New York. For that, the Mets are taking a big risk in signing Williams to a multi-year deal.

The Mets are still in on free agent closer Edwin Diaz. If New York can retain Diaz, Williams will serve as the setup man, a role he is open to pitching in. If Diaz walks, Williams will likely take over as the closer for the Mets.

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