While the team has downplayed the need to some degree so far this offseason, the Atlanta Braves have to make some big moves to rebuild their bullpen. Raisel Iglesias may or may not come back depending on where else Atlanta spends their money and they let multiple other key relievers hit the open market as well. Covering the middle innings will likely come from not-so-sexy options, but the Braves need at least one (preferably more) high leverage relievers and one former All-Star was recently floated to fill that role.
There was a time when Devin Williams had a case for being an at least top 3 reliever in baseball. After winning Rookie of the Year in 2020, Williams posted a combined 1.70 ERA and 2.24 FIP across 228 appearances from 2020-2024. However, Williams dealt with injury issues in 2024 as well as a rather unfortunate case of pitch tipping in the playoffs and his performance with the Yankees in 2025 left a lot to be desired.
Given his down 2025 season, there is a sentiment out in the world that Williams could take a one year deal to boost his stock up again. In Bleacher Report's recent free agent predictions, Tim Kelly has the Brave giving him that one-year deal for $13 million and that...is anything but simple to understand.
Braves predicted to sign Devin Williams, but that might work out the way fans hope
There are some good arguments in favor of signing Williams. There is no long-term commitment which is great when you are talking about famously volatile relievers. As the old saying goes, "there is no such thing as a bad one-year deal." Williams also had some encouraging pitch metrics, especially when it came to his chase rate, whiff rate, and extension, that seem to indicate his 4.79 ERA in New York last year was at least partially some crummy BABIP luck.
However, it feels like this is the sort of deal is one that the Braves can't win. If they sign Williams, it almost certainly takes them out of the running for (probably) better relievers like Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez which is a big risk when it comes to their 2026 ambitions. If Williams is good, he almost certainly will price himself out walk in free agency and leave Atlanta in this same position next offseason. If he is bad, the Braves' 2026 season is compromised and they will still need a closer next offseason.
In short, in a market that is loaded with really good relievers, the Braves betting on Williams, even on a short-term deal, feels like an odd risk to take unless Atlanta is adding multiple high leverage relievers this offseason. Again, there is wisdom in not committing big time dollars on longer term deals to bullpen arms, but Williams coming off a down year might not be worth the risk given the opportunity costs involved.