Star Closer Hits Free Agent Market After a Rocky 2025
Closer Devin Williams has hit the free agent market after a turbulent season with the New York Yankees. He was one of the most reliable relievers in baseball prior to 2025, and though the surface numbers look bad, the numbers under the surface proved Williams was much better than what met the eye this season.
Devin Williams is One of the Bigger Question Marks in Free Agency
Williams’ Career
Williams, 30, debuted in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers and rose through the ranks in the bullpen. He began as a setup man behind closer Josh Hader, and when Hader was traded to the Padres at the 2022 trade deadline, Williams took over the ninth inning. From July 2022 through the end of the 2024 season, Williams collected 65 saves while posting a combined ERA of 1.59. Though the performance was good in Milwaukee, Williams struggled with some injuries.
2025 Campaign
In December of 2024, the Brewers traded Williams to the Yankees. New York was looking to stabilize the ninth inning after Clay Holmes departed in free agency. The trade did not go as planned. From Opening Day, where he faced his former team, to his last outing, Williams did not have his best season. He often looked overmatched and nervous on the mound, especially at the start of the season. New York can be an unforgiving place if you let it be, but Williams did not.
After losing his closer’s job in May, Williams transitioned to the eighth inning. He excelled in that role, with an opponent’s OPS of .470, though the ERA was still high at 4.64. He moved back to the ninth inning for two months and was a bit better than in the early season. After faltering again towards the end of July, the Yankees made David Bednar the full-time closer.
Williams still had a somewhat solid season in New York, and a deeper look at his underlying metrics shows he was much better than many realized. Even with occasional command lapses, he continued to dominate contact; opponents posted a wOBA in the low-.220s against him, with an xwOBA that was even sharper, reflecting how rarely hitters squared him up. His elite changeup remained one of baseball’s most unhittable pitches, driving strong strikeout rates and consistently weak contact. While his ERA hovered higher than expected at times, his FIP and expected stats painted the picture of a reliever still performing at an All-Star level—one whose raw stuff and peripherals suggested that any surface-level volatility overstated his struggles.
Williams’ Contract Projection
Devin Williams enters free agency as one of the most dominant late-inning relievers in baseball, and his contract is expected to reflect that. Despite missing time with injuries and carrying some volatility inherent to relievers, he has consistently posted elite strikeout rates, microscopic ERAs, and some of the most deceptive stuff in baseball. His changeup — the famed “Airbender” — remains one of the highest-whiff pitches in the sport, and his underlying metrics (FIP, xERA, xwOBA) continue to support frontline bullpen value. Given the recent market for closers, like Josh Hader, Williams is projected to command a deal in the four-year, $60–68 million range. Williams could also get a deal with opt-out or escalator clauses with a contender. A shorter, higher-AAV contract (three years, $48–54 million) is also possible if teams view his workload history cautiously.
When it comes to suitors, several playoff hopefuls profile as ideal fits for Williams. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies both value swing-and-miss bullpen arms and have shown a willingness to spend on high-impact relievers. The Dodgers and Williams have already reported mutual interest. A return to the Yankees could make sense for both sides, but Williams would need to commit to being a setup man. The Toronto Blue Jays are also in the market for a closer and should have the payroll to spend.
Ex-Bulls Guard Explains His Side After Felony Arrest
Chicago native and former Chicago Bulls guard Patrick Beverley broke his silence after being arrested in Texas on a third-degree felony assault charge, telling fans not to believe the early reports circulating online.
Beverley posted a $40,000 bail, then addressed the situation publicly on X (formerly Twitter) late Friday.
“Please don’t believe everything you see on the internet. Hope all is well Luv❤️🙏🏾,”
According to TMZ Sports, Beverley allegedly assaulted a family or household member and impeded the person’s breathing — a serious felony under Texas law. No court date has been set.
Beverley Claims He Was Protecting a Minor Sister
Beverley pushed back strongly against the allegations, saying he acted out of concern after discovering his younger sister in a troubling situation.
“Patrick Beverley has no criminal record. He cares deeply about his little sister – a young lady, a minor,” Beverley’s statement read.
According to Beverley, the incident began when Beverley unexpectedly returned home and found his underage sister alone late at night with an 18-year-old man.
“He was understandably concerned, as any brother would be about his sister,” the attorney said. “However, we don’t believe what followed happened the way it’s been described and we look forward to the opportunity to address that in court.”
Beverley’s Chicago Ties & Bulls Tenure Still Remembered
Beverley, a Chicago native and product of Marshall High School, played a key role with the Bulls after being acquired in February 2023, returning home in a move that generated major excitement throughout the city.
When he was introduced after signing with the Bulls, Beverley was “stoked” about his homecoming.
“I’m really excited,” Beverley told local reporters at the time. “You can tell by the energy I have, the smile on my face, the joy.
He described himself as a leader shaped by his Chicago upbringing:
“Just a born leader. The way I play, I run through a wall for any team I play. This is even more — it’s the city where I’m from. I don’t know what might happen. I might pull some (expletive) out I ain’t never did before. I’m super stoked.”
Beverley averaged 5.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals over 22 games in his short stint with his hometown team. He immediately became a defensive spark and emotional presence, helping Chicago push into the Play-In Tournament alongside
His leadership and Chicago pride made him a fan favorite despite the brief stay.
Arrest Adds to Beverley’s Recent Controversies
Beverley’s arrest is the latest in a string of off-court incidents.
Beverley has not appeared in an NBA game since May 2, 2024, when the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference playoffs. In the final minutes of that game, Beverley became involved in a high-profile altercation with Pacers fans.
Video showed Beverley hitting a woman in the head with a basketball, asking another fan for the ball, then throwing it back forcefully into the stands. The incident sparked national attention and resulted in a
The lawsuit accuses Beverley of causing “physical pain,” emotional distress, humiliation, and financial damages, including medical expenses and lost wages.
His stint in Israel with Hapoel Tel Aviv ended in February after the team suspended him.
The 37-year-old guard has not been signed by an NBA team for the current season.
