Devin Williams absorbed New York’s best shot and decided to come back for more.

In agreeing to a three-year deal worth $51 million with the New York Mets, per league sources, Williams is choosing to return to the city where, with the Yankees last season, he experienced a full sampling of boos and cheers.

He didn’t have to. He had other options. Williams received at least five other offers from teams with glaring needs at closer, league sources said.

Williams chose the Mets on Monday night, not knowing whether he would be used as an ace setup option ahead of Edwin Díaz or as a closer replacing Díaz.

According to a person close to Williams, the decorated right-hander is open to pitching in whatever role the team needs him for and wants to win a World Series in New York. Each year, many free agents say something similar. The context surrounding Williams’ decision, however, makes it more believable.

Such a viewpoint holds significance for the Mets. They remain open to a reunion with Díaz, formerly their star closer and the best reliever available in free agency, league sources said.

If Edwin Díaz goes elsewhere, the Mets have someone for the ninth inning whom they clearly trust. (Al Bello/ Getty Images)

So, Williams may pitch the ninth inning, but he also may end up pitching the eighth inning instead. Potentially pairing Díaz with Williams (along with high-leverage lefties Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter, once healthy) would certainly boost the Mets’ odds of making the playoffs next season after an embarrassing 2025, let alone anything more noteworthy.

At the very least, the Mets protected themselves with the addition of Williams.

Despite a 4.79 ERA with the Yankees last season, some of Williams’ advanced numbers ranked among the elite, per Baseball Savant. In six years with the Milwaukee Brewers, the now-31-year-old had a 1.83 career ERA.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns had that role in Milwaukee in 2020 and 2021. He watched Williams excel in a setup role and, in 2022, flipped closer Josh Hader at the trade deadline in a controversial move that also gave Williams the runway to close. The following year, Williams earned his second All-Star Game appearance and finished with 36 saves.

The Mets targeted Williams early in free agency, made him multiple offers and hung tough when another team tried to swoop in on Monday, league sources said.

If Díaz goes elsewhere, the Mets have someone for the ninth inning whom they clearly trust.

That’s vital. Because Díaz may in fact end up somewhere else. There are multiple teams seriously interested in Díaz, 31, people familiar with his market said.

Throughout negotiations between Díaz and the Mets, contract length emerged as a sticking point, as The Athletic previously reported. Díaz, who has a qualifying offer attached to him, wants five years. The Mets prefer something like three.

New York is operating with discipline. At least one other team liked Williams for three years, league sources said. The Mets’ deal, however, contains a total of $15 million deferred, according to industry sources, lowering the annual average value for luxury tax purposes. From a financial standpoint, it is certainly possible for the Steve Cohen-owned Mets to also add Díaz.

The Mets did not give Díaz’s camp a heads-up that they were reaching a deal with Williams, league sources said. It is unclear whether they will continue to pursue someone like Robert Suarez, the next-best reliever available in free agency, if they fail to work something out with Díaz.

If the situation is a game of leverage between New York and Díaz, then Stearns and the Mets safeguarded themselves with Williams. They no longer have a hole at the closer position.

In the meantime, will another team value Díaz’s elite track record enough to give him what he wants? Or will the Mets end up saving money on Díaz by first paying Williams? The Mets’ preference may be to re-sign Díaz, but their actions, for better or worse, indicate that they may be comfortable with either outcome.