The New York Mets have officially designated Devin Williams as their closer for the 2027 season, ending speculation about the role.
The team is now actively seeking high-leverage bullpen arms to support the ninth-inning specialist, according to reports from Yahoo Sports.
Front office officials are targeting relievers capable of managing the seventh and eighth innings to bridge the gap to Williams, as noted by Rising Apple.
The organization is currently evaluating several potential candidates, including left-handers Alex Vesia and Tim Hill, alongside interest in Jonathan Loáisiga, per MLB Trade Rumors.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns emphasized that the team is prioritizing overall effectiveness over traditional metrics like handedness.
During the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns addressed the media regarding the team’s philosophy, stating, “It is really can we just get guys out?”
He further clarified that a pitcher’s handedness is a little bit less important for the club, as reported by the New York Post.
Williams, who is entering the second year of a three-year, $51 million contract, remains a central part of the team’s pitching strategy.
Despite recording a 4.43 ERA last season, data from FanGraphs suggests his underlying performance, including a 34.4% strikeout rate on swings and misses, shows promise.
Beyond the bullpen, the front office faces time constraints to clear roster spots for seven prospects before a potential lockout on Dec. 2.
The team must balance these internal roster moves with the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, which remains in jeopardy should labor negotiations stall.
Stearns is working to finalize the bullpen structure before spring training to ensure the team is prepared for the upcoming season, the outlets reported.