The Mets and reliever Devin Williams have agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have added a major piece to their late-inning plans, finalizing a three-year, $51 million agreement with reliever Devin Williams on Wednesday. The deal gives manager Carlos Mendoza a proven, high-leverage arm as the club works to overhaul a bullpen that struggled during last year’s playoff-less campaign.

Under the structure of the contract, Williams will have $5 million from each season deferred, with payments stretching from 2036 through 2045.

The 31-year-old right-hander arrives from the Yankees, where he endured an uneven 2024 season. Williams finished 4–6 with a career-worst 4.79 ERA and converted 18 of 22 save opportunities. His year included losing — and twice regaining — the closer’s role, though he capped the regular season and postseason with four straight scoreless outings in the American League playoffs.

In Queens, Williams could take over for free agent Edwin Díaz or form a potent late-game combination should Díaz return.

The Mets currently project to bring back left-handers Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter and Richard Lovelady, plus right-hander Huascar Brazobán. Beyond that core, the remaining healthy bullpen options are relatively inexperienced — and Minter’s status adds some uncertainty after he missed most of last year recovering from surgery to repair a torn left lat muscle.

A two-time All-Star, Williams previously thrived under Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns in Milwaukee, where he twice earned the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award and captured the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year honor.

“Devin is a dynamic pitcher who will help bolster the back of the bullpen,” Stearns said in announcing the deal. “He has a proven history in high-leverage spots, and we’re thrilled to welcome him and his family to Queens.”

Williams’ postseason history with the Mets includes a painful moment: he surrendered a decisive three-run homer to Pete Alonso in Game 3 of the 2024 NL Wild Card Series, a blast that clinched the series for New York. That offseason, Milwaukee dealt Williams to the Yankees in exchange for pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin.

Famed for his baffling changeup — known as “The Airbender” — Williams struck out 90 batters and issued 25 walks over 62 innings in 67 appearances last season. He earned $8.6 million in 2025.

After the Yankees were ousted from the playoffs, Williams said he was open to remaining in the Bronx. Instead, he will now take on a pivotal role across town as the Mets aim to rebuild a more stable and reliable bullpen core.