Could a 32-Year-Old Former Pinstripe Reliever Solve the Mets Closer Question in 2026?
The New York Mets have had plenty of issues this season, as the team is coming off a doubleheader sweep on Sunday and an overall sweep of the Colorado Rockies. They are half a game behind the Phillies for last place in the NL East with a record of 9-19 this season. The Mets’ offense has struggled to manifest any consistent run production. The starting pitching doesn't give them innings, the bullpen has been struggling also with a lot of usage, and their closer, two-time all-star Devin Williams, is struggling in save and non-save situations. A change might be necessary.
Williams' stats season has a 1-1 record with a 10.49 ERA and a negative 0.6 WAR. In his last five games against the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Cubs, and Twins, which are four of the top offenses in baseball, the two-time all-star has allowed at least one run in four of the five appearances. The most runs he allowed during that stretch were four runs to the Dodgers. Williams is no stranger to the pressure of pitching in New York, as he was a Yankee in the 2025 season.
Williams‘ struggle to start the season with the Mets and last year with the Yankees has led people to believe that maybe he can’t handle the New York market and the fans. He was initially with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he had his best seasons and was a part of the organization for six years. Last season for the Yankees, the two-time all-star also got off to a slow start and was moved from the closer spot into low-leverage situations, but had success. Later on in the season and into the 2025 MLB Playoffs, he regained his closer spot from Luke Weaver.
Weaver, in the 2026 season, has also had a rough start to the season, but has looked dominant in the last couple of appearances for the Mets. The 32-year-old is especially impressive when he’s located his changeup down and gets chased. Plus, when he’s locating his fastball up, he looks like a shutdown closer. Weaver had prior experience replacing Williams as the closer with the Yankees last season. The 32-year-old can do the same thing as he did last season and can be a temporary closer until Williams is sharp and dominant. The two-time all-star’s key to success is similar to Weaver if his changeup, the “air bender,” is down in the strike zone and gets hitters to chase. In addition, his fastball is up in the zone because his velocity is roughly around 93-95 mph.
