Devin Williams on why he joined Mets: ‘They’re a team that wants to win’

Key Highlights

• Since Steve and Alex Cohen took over ownership of the Mets in 2021, the club has steadily gained a reputation as a destination for free agents, including free agents who played in the Bronx.
• Williams, who signed a three-year $51 million contract with the Mets earlier this week, is third pitcher and fourth player in the last three years to go from the Yankees to the Mets as a free agent, following a trend set by Luis Severino, Clay Holmes and Juan Soto.
• Manager Carlos Mendoza also came from the Yankees. From the outside, his decision to sign with another New York City team was surprising.
• An elite setup man and closer in Milwaukee, Williams posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA with the Yankees last year.
• Traded from the Brewers to the Yankees last December, he was removed from the closer twice during his one-season tenure with the Yankees. It was a perplexing season, especially since the underlying analytics didn’t point to any sort of decline.