The real Devin Williams dilemma hasn't even begun for the NY Mets

Last year was uncharacteristically shaky for Devin Williams. His first season outside of Milwaukee was also the first full season his ERA was higher than 2.50. After years of being one of the best relievers in baseball for the Brewers, the move to New York didn't seem to agree with him, even if his respectable 2.68 FIP as a Yankee suggested there was still a bright future ahead.

Perhaps that's what the Mets saw when they signed him to a three-year deal this offseason. Unfortunately, their optimistic vision has been met with disappointment. Across 31.2 innings, Williams has a 4.83 ERA with a 3.35 FIP. Despite blowing another save in a discouraging loss to the surging Red Sox, interim manager Andy Green seemed adamant about keeping Wiliams in his current role. It's great to see that the club still believes in his abilities but could this create more questions down the road?

If Devin Williams returns to form in the second half, is he worth keeping around for the remainder of his contract?

Since Williams will be retaining his role as a high-leverage reliever, there's a chance he could still have a positive impact on the team. With 65 games left, there's a possibility for him to bring his ERA down and his number of saves up. Furthermore, some of his Statcast numbers still resemble that of an elite closer.

These numbers illustrate a pitcher who is consistently missing bats and maximizing soft contact. Additionally, his aforementioned 3.35 FIP is quite good and on par with other strong relievers like Steven Okert (3.36), Abner Uribe (3.46), and Kevin Kelly (3.51). Danny Abriano of SNY also points out that the situation is more nuanced than one might expect. Prior to this recent rough patch, Williams has been statistically outstanding.

But a resurgence following the All-Star break would force the Mets to reassess whether he's worth keeping around for the next two years of his deal. If the Mets do indeed pursue a rebuild, the team's two closer options in Luke Weaver and Devin Williams are likely worth more as trade assets than members of the active roster. If his numbers improve, he'll net a larger prospect haul in return and help the Mets move onto the next phase.

On the other hand, having a closer on-hand would be one less piece to reacquire and the Mets seem like they want to be a contender as soon as next year. If the front office chooses to simply flush this year, reload their farm system, and try again in 2027, then trading away some of their relievers with less upside and club control could be more beneficial to their short-term goals. It seems odd to have a bittersweet attitude towards an important member of the team bouncing back in the second half of the season but it's just one of many peculiar aspects of this Mets season.

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